{"id":33002,"date":"2026-02-09T16:44:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T07:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sonomono.jp\/?p=33002"},"modified":"2026-08-03T17:17:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T08:17:12","slug":"natto-hakase-91","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonomono.jp\/en\/natto-hakase\/natto-hakase-91\/","title":{"rendered":"Does an Imbalanced Gut Affect Mental Health?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New Research Links Gut Health, Autoimmune Diseases, Allergies, and Depression Risk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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It has become increasingly clear that the gut environment plays a critical role in both physical and mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 60\u201370% of the human immune system\u2014including immune cells and antibodies\u2014is located in the gut. When the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced, harmful bacteria may increase while beneficial bacteria decline, potentially weakening immune function. This imbalance has been associated with a range of physical symptoms, as well as low mood, fatigue, and reduced motivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If gut imbalance persists over time, immune dysfunction may escalate from simple weakening to immune overactivation. This immune dysregulation has been linked to the development of allergic conditions, autoimmune diseases, and mental health disorders such as depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the immune system becomes overactive, it may trigger allergic conditions such as hay fever, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies, as well as autoimmune diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autoimmune diseases occur when immune cells mistakenly attack the body\u2019s own healthy tissues. Common examples include rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Graves\u2019 disease, Hashimoto\u2019s thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autoimmune Diseases and Mental Health Risk: Large-Scale Evidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A research group from the University of Edinburgh\u2019s Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences investigated the association between autoimmune diseases and mental health disorders. Their findings were published in BMJ Mental Health<\/em> on June 10, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the study, individuals with autoimmune diseases had approximately twice the risk<\/strong> of developing mental health disorders\u2014such as depression, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder\u2014compared with the general population. The association was more pronounced in women than in men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Study Population and Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This analysis used data from \u201cOur Future Health,\u201d<\/strong> a newly established large-scale UK cohort study. The study included 1,563,155 adults aged 18 and older<\/strong> who self-reported their physical and mental health histories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six autoimmune diseases were examined: rheumatoid arthritis, Graves\u2019 disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants were divided into two groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n