Circadian Disruption and Mental Health: The Chronotherapeutic Potential of Microbiome-Based and Dietary Strategies

Abstract

Mental illness is alarmingly on the rise, and circadian disruptions linked to a modern lifestyle may largely explain this trend. Impaired circadian rhythms are associated with mental disorders. The evening chronotype, which is linked to circadian misalignment, is a risk factor for severe psychiatric symptoms and psychiatric metabolic comorbidities. Resynchronization of circadian rhythms commonly improves psychiatric symptoms. Furthermore, evidence indicates that preventing circadian misalignment may help reduce the risk of psychiatric disorders and the impact of neuro–immuno–metabolic disturbances in psychiatry. The gut microbiota exhibits diurnal rhythmicity, as largely governed by meal timing, which regulates the host’s circadian rhythms. Temporal circadian regulation of feeding has emerged as a promising chronotherapeutic strategy to prevent and/or help with the treatment of mental illnesses, largely through the modulation of gut microbiota. Here, we provide an overview of the link between circadian disruption and mental illness. We summarize the connection between gut microbiota and circadian rhythms, supporting the idea that gut microbiota modulation may aid in preventing circadian misalignment and in the resynchronization of disrupted circadian rhythms. We describe diurnal microbiome rhythmicity and its related factors, highlighting the role of meal timing. Lastly, we emphasize the necessity and rationale for further research to develop effective and safe microbiome and dietary strategies based on chrononutrition to combat mental illness.

Effects of Unconventional Work and Shift Work on the Human Gut Microbiota and the Potential of Probiotics to Restore Dysbiosis

“…Another 30-day longitudinal study on Chinese seafarers revealed that probiotics were able to maintain the homeostasis of the GM during a long sea voyage. The probiotics used in the study included strains such as Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, L. rhamnosus, and B. lactis, which demonstrated excellent probiotic properties in previous studies [68,100].…”

“…Another option to reduce anxiety or depression would also be the supplementation of SCFA or dietary fiber intake [41], as recent research indicates that SCFA or the microbiota may influence brain function, such as anxiety or depression [100]. Therefore, it is possible that microbiota-derived metabolites reach the brain, and future studies are required to understand the impact of chronic SCFA administration on the circadian clock system in the brain [41].…”

Unraveling the interplay between chronobiology, circadian rhythm, and gut microbiome dynamics in human health

“…The impact of circadian rhythm disruption extends to mental health, contributing to various psychiatric and neurological consequences. Disrupted sleep patterns are commonly observed in individuals with conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [19,20]. Understanding the intricate relationships between circadian rhythms, sleep, and health outcomes is crucial for developing comprehensive strategies to promote overall well-being.…”

“…Disrupted sleep also significantly impacts mental health and is associated with multiple psychiatric as well as neurological consequences. Impaired circadian rhythms are commonly observed among individuals with various psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [19,20]. Xu S et al (2021) explore the impact of circadian rhythms on diverse cognitive functions.…”

Chrononutrition in the Prevention and Management of Metabolic Disorders: A Literature Review

“…Chrononutrition is a field of research in nutritional sciences that investigates the health impact of three different dimensions of feeding behavior: regularity of meals, frequency, and timing of food intake [ 1 ]. These are distinguished into early chronotypes and late chronotypes.…”