Research advances on relationship between gut microbiota and anorexia nervosa / 中华全科医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Anorexia nervosa is a mental disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distortion of body image, longstanding dietary restriction and low body weight, which has an impact on the cognition, behavior and emotion of patients to varying degrees. Recently, thanks to the advances of microbiota-gut-brain axis research, the role of gut microbiota in the mechanisms of anorexia nervosa has been elucidated. The application of probiotics has been proved to alleviate anxiety, depression and improve appetite, which is expected to be an important measure for the treatment of anorexia nervosa in the future.