Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
BMC Complement Med Ther. 2023 Apr 5;23(1):107. doi: 10.1186/s12906-023-03935-8.
Growing evidence suggests a role for gut bacteria and their metabolites in host-signaling responses along the gut-brain axis which may impact mental health. Meditation is increasingly utilized to combat stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. However, its impact on the microbiome remains unclear. This study observes the effects of preparation and participation in an advanced meditation program (Samyama) implemented with a vegan diet including 50% raw foods, on gut microbiome and metabolites profiles.
There were 288 subjects for this study. Stool samples were collected at 3-time points for meditators and household controls. Meditators prepared for 2 months for the Samyama, incorporating daily yoga and meditation practices with a vegan diet including 50% raw foods. Subjects were requested to submit stool samples for 3 time points - 2 months before Samyama (T1), right before Samyama (T2), and 3 months following Samyama (T3). 16 s rRNA sequencing was used to study participants' microbiome. Alpha and beta diversities along with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) were assessed. Metabolomics were performed on a mass spectrometer coupled to a UHLPC system and analyzed by El-MAVEN software.
Alpha diversity showed no significant differences between meditators and controls, while beta diversity showed significant changes (padj = 0.001) after Samyama in meditators' microbiota composition. After the preparation phase, changes in branched short-chain fatty acids, higher levels of iso-valerate (padj = 0.02) and iso-buytrate (padj = 0.019) were observed at T2 in meditators. Other metabolites were also observed to have changed in meditators at timepoint T2.
This study examined the impact of an advanced meditation program combined with a vegan diet on the gut microbiome. There was an increase in beneficial bacteria even three months after the completion of the Samyama program. Further study is warranted to validate current observations and investigate the significance and mechanisms of action related to diet, meditation, and microbial composition and function, on psychological processes, including mood.
Registration number: NCT04366544 ; Registered on 29/04/2020.
越来越多的证据表明，肠道细菌及其代谢物在肠道-大脑轴的宿主信号反应中发挥作用，这可能会影响心理健康。冥想越来越多地被用来对抗压力、焦虑和抑郁症状。然而，它对微生物组的影响尚不清楚。本研究观察了准备和参与高级冥想课程（三夜摩）并配合素食饮食（包括 50%的生食）对肠道微生物组和代谢物谱的影响。
本研究共有 288 名受试者。在 3 个时间点采集了冥想者和家庭对照组的粪便样本。冥想者在进行三夜摩之前的 2 个月内进行准备，包括每天进行瑜伽和冥想练习，并配合素食饮食（包括 50%的生食）。要求受试者在 3 个时间点提交粪便样本：在三夜摩前 2 个月（T1）、三夜摩前（T2）和三夜摩后 3 个月（T3）。使用 16S rRNA 测序来研究参与者的微生物组。评估了 alpha 和 beta 多样性以及短链脂肪酸（SCFA）。代谢组学在与 UHPLC 系统耦合的质谱仪上进行，并通过 El-MAVEN 软件进行分析。
alpha 多样性在冥想者和对照组之间没有显著差异，而 beta 多样性在冥想者的微生物群落组成方面在三夜摩后显示出显著变化（padj=0.001）。在准备阶段后，在 T2 时观察到分支短链脂肪酸发生变化，异戊酸（padj=0.02）和异丁酸（padj=0.019）水平升高。在 T2 时还观察到其他代谢物在冥想者中发生变化。
本研究检查了高级冥想课程与素食饮食相结合对肠道微生物组的影响。即使在三夜摩计划完成三个月后，有益细菌的数量也有所增加。需要进一步的研究来验证目前的观察结果，并研究饮食、冥想、微生物组成和功能与心理过程（包括情绪）之间的关系和作用机制。
注册号：NCT04366544；注册日期：2020 年 4 月 29 日。
