Researchers from China have discovered a link between gut microbes and insomnia, suggesting that sleep habits may directly influence gut health and vice versa. The study, published in the journal General Psychiatry, found 41 types of gut bacteria to be likely causes of insomnia, while poor sleep was linked to reduced abundance of seven bacterial groups.
According to Dr. Shi Shangyun, first author of the study, the findings could lead to new treatments for insomnia using probiotics, prebiotics, or faecal transplants. The researchers also suggest that the gut microbiome may serve as a biomarker to track treatment effectiveness and enable personalized care.
The analysis used genetic information to investigate the link between insomnia and the gut microbiome, and found certain genes linked to insomnia were more common in people with specific gut microbes. In reverse, the study found that certain gut microbes were associated with reduced odds of insomnia or increased abundance.
One class of bacteria, Odoribacter, was particularly closely associated with insulin risk. However, the researchers emphasize that further studies are needed before doctors can prescribe gut health strategies to help patients sleep better.
Source: https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/ruining-sleep-insomnia-gut-microbiome-bacteria