UK Poverty Linked to Poor Gut Health and Mental Illness in New Study
People residing in the most deprived areas of the United Kingdom possess a significantly less diverse range of bacteria in their gut, according to groundbreaking research. This deficiency in gut microbiome diversity is directly associated with worse physical and mental health outcomes when compared to individuals from more affluent regions.
Research Methodology and Key Findings
The comprehensive study, conducted by academics from King's College London and the University of Nottingham, analysed the gut bacteria of 1,390 female twins across the UK. Researchers cross-referenced this biological data with residential postcodes to determine socioeconomic status using the Townsend Deprivation Index. This index evaluates factors such as unemployment rates, overcrowding, and levels of car and home ownership to measure deprivation accurately.
Analysis identified 12 bacterial species specifically linked to living in more deprived areas. Notably, two of these species, Lawsonibacter and Intestinimonas massiliensis, showed negative associations with deprivation and were correlated with higher rates of anxiety and diabetes. These bacteria typically produce butyrate, a substance crucial for energy balance and blood sugar control. Changes in these bacterial populations may explain how social disadvantage translates into adverse health effects.
The Gut-Brain Connection and Health Implications
Gut health is intrinsically connected to overall wellbeing, with approximately 95% of serotonin, a key mood regulator, produced in the gastrointestinal system. An unhealthy gut microbiome can trigger inflammation and contribute to conditions such as anxiety and depression. The study further revealed that deprivation is associated with a reduced diversity of the gut microbiome, potentially serving as a biological pathway linking poverty to poorer health.
Dr Cristina Menni, senior author of the study and a senior lecturer in molecular epidemiology at King's College London, emphasised the importance of these findings. "Health inequalities remain one of the biggest challenges facing the UK, and we still do not fully understand how social disadvantage translates into poorer health," she stated. "Our research suggests that people in more socially deprived areas may have less diverse gut microbiomes, which could be one mechanism driving worse physical and mental health outcomes."
Environmental and Social Factors Influencing Gut Health
Dr Yu Lin, first author of the study and a research associate at King's College London, highlighted how environmental and social circumstances impact gut bacteria. "The gut microbiome might be one of the ways our environment and social circumstances, such as chronic stress, financial strain, and access to healthy food, affect both our mental health and our metabolic health," she explained. "These microbes influence how the body processes energy and communicates with the brain, suggesting that social and environmental disadvantage may become biologically embedded through changes in gut bacteria."
The findings underscore the potential for interventions targeting gut health to improve overall wellbeing in disadvantaged communities. By understanding this biological pathway, researchers hope to develop new strategies that address health inequalities and support vulnerable populations across the UK.
