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AUHS SOP Presents to Signal Hill City Council: 

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AUHS SOP Presents to Signal Hill City Council: 

The Link Between Gut Bacteria & Mental Health 

By Bill Chen, Restee Mopia, Mahima Patel, Valerie Vasques and 

Dr. Tiffany Nguyen (Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences) 

 

American University of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy was invited to speak at the Signal Hill City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Second year pharmacy students, Restee Mopia, Mahima Patel, Valerie Vasques, and Bill Chen delivered an informative presentation on The Link Between Gut Microbiota and Mental Health at the city hall, showcasing their research and findings to members of the city council and members of the public. 

 

Mental health is one of the top concerns in today’s society, and currently there is no cure for these mental disorders. The rise of mental disorders is a major global health issue, causing substantial medical and economic challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, marked by factors like quarantine, economic downturn, and job losses, has further intensified mental health issues. Since the gut communicates to the brain and the brain communicates to the gut, understanding this bidirectional relationship can help develop effective approaches to tackle the increase in mental health disorders. More research and studies exploring the gut at the bacterial species level and the gut-brain axis may ultimately lead to personalized medicine in the future.  

Though there are several treatments to manage mental disorders, the students wanted to share how mental disorders can be mitigated or prevented using natural approaches. Below lists some of the main points from the presentation: 

  • Dietary fibers may enhance communication between the gut and the brain and be especially beneficial for those with schizophrenia. 
  • Fermented dairy drinks increase good bacteria while reducing harmful ones as well as ease constipation and potentially improve depressive symptoms. 
  • Curcumin, the active chemical in turmeric, can reduce anxiety-like symptoms 
  • Capsaicin, found in chili peppers, alleviates depressive-like behaviors. 
  • Eating more fruits and veggies is linked to better overall mental health. 
  • More fruits and veggies relate to increased attention and focus. 
  • Flavonoid-rich orange juice reduces depression. 
  • American ginseng extract improves memory and attention. 
  • Ginkgo biloba helps reduce stress-induced depression. 

Our pharmacy students admitted the opportunity pushed them out of their comfort zones, requiring them to break down and simplify complex scientific terms and concepts so that they may be easier to understand and resonate with the audience. It was a valuable opportunity, and they were proud to represent AUHS SOP and the pharmacy profession and to contribute to the city and our community through public health and education. 

References 

Xiong RG, Li J, Cheng J, Zhou DD, Wu SX, Huang SY, Saimaiti A, Yang ZJ, Gan RY, Li HB. The Role of Gut Microbiota in Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Disorders as Well as the Protective Effects of Dietary Components. Nutrients. 2023 Jul 23;15(14):3258. doi: 10.3390/nu15143258. PMID: 37513676; PMCID: PMC10384867.