Khaberni - A recent Spanish study has disclosed a surprising relationship between the amino acid "proline" and depression, through its interaction with gut bacteria and brain chemistry.
The study conducted on humans, mice, and fruit flies found that a diet high in proline, available in common foods like gelatin, beef, and fish, increases the likelihood of experiencing depression symptoms.
The team also concluded that controlling the levels of this amino acid or blocking its access to the brain could be an effective strategy for preventing and treating depression.
Interestingly, the study noted that not all individuals consuming proline suffer from depression, which can be attributed to the critical role of gut bacteria. The research team discovered that the bacterial composition of the gut significantly affects how the body handles proline. Some types of bacteria contain special genes capable of breaking down proline and dealing with it, protecting against its harmful mood effects.
To verify these results, researchers conducted a series of precise experiments, transferring gut bacteria from people suffering from depression to laboratory mice, and observed depression symptoms in these mice. They also tested the effect of two types of bacteria on fruit flies, finding beneficial bacteria helped protect against depression.
In a crucial experiment, the researchers used genetically modified flies lacking the ability to transport proline to the brain, and noted a considerable resistance to depression in these flies, confirming that the transition of proline to the brain is a decisive factor in developing symptoms.
This study represents an important step in understanding and treating depression, opening the door to developing new treatments based on controlling proline levels and improving gut health, highlighting the profound relationship between diet and mental health and the importance of caring for gut bacteria to maintain our psychological balance.
