Gut Bacteria and Metabolism
What is the microbial activity of gut bacteria called?
Microbial metabolism
What two-way communication network connects the gut and the brain?
The gut-brain axis
What can disrupt teens’ gut bacteria’s metabolic cycle when their schedules are shorter?
Sleep schedules
What imbalance in gut bacteria may be linked to a Western diet high in processed foods and added sugars?
Dysbiosis
What do gut bacteria help break down that the body cannot digest on its own?
Some fibres and other food components
What axis does the brain activate during stress?
The HPA axis
What can social media expose teens to, along with cyberbullying and social comparison?
Dopamine hits
What eating pattern emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fish?
The Mediterranean diet
What are acetate, propionate, and butyrate examples of?
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)
What part of the brain signals the adrenal glands to release hormones such as cortisol during stress?
The hypothalamus
Which two stress hormones can the HPA axis produce in response to teens’ awareness of social acceptance?
Adrenaline and cortisol.
What food contains omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats that may have a calming influence on the brain?
Salmon
What substance, along with bile acids, can gut bacteria transform in ways that affect signals between the gut and the body?
Tryptophan
What can stress change, along with gut conditions, to create a feedback loop?
Digestion
In a “fight-or-flight” state, blood can be directed away from what?
The digestive tract
What foods may reduce physical symptoms of stress and moderate increases in salivary cortisol?
Fermented Foods
What two things can short-chain fatty acids affect?
The gut lining and immune activity.
Signals in the gut-brain axis travel through nerves, hormones, immune activity, and substances made by what?
Microbes
What gut layer can be damaged when it does not get enough oxygen?
The protective mucus layer.
What kind of eating pattern can support gut health and help the body respond to stress?
A balanced pattern that includes fiber-rich, nutrient-dense, and fermented foods.