Dr Tim Spector has highlighted a concerning connection between mental health and gut health. In an episode of Diary Of A CEO, the health expert, frequently seen on ITV's This Morning, discussed how understanding your gut microbiome could be crucial in combating depression and disease. Speaking to podcast host Steven Bartlett, Dr Spector suggested that our gut microbe should be considered as its own organ due to its significant impact on our immune system, mood and overall health.
These microscopic organisms produce essential chemicals like serotonin and influence our response to various substances, including food and medication. The doctor clarified that the term 'microbiome' refers to the community of gut microbes, essentially tiny organisms residing in our intestines. He also emphasised the immense importance of the microbiome, comparing its total weight to that of the human brain.
Dr Spector criticised the traditional view of food, which focuses on calories and macronutrients, as outdated, and stressed the centrality of gut health in understanding nutrition. "The old idea that food is just calories, macros, it's fats and carbs and proteins, just those four things..
. That's 100 years old mentality," he told listeners. According to Dr Spector, gut microbes play a role in determining susceptibility to diseases - such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and mental health issues.
He cited a study conducted on identical twins to underscore the diversity and significance of a gut mic.