18 April 2024 | Maria Scuto, Francesco Rampulla, Giuseppe Maria Reali, Sestina Maria Spanò, Angela Trovato Salinaro and Vittorio Calabrese
The article discusses the role of hormetic nutrition, particularly polyphenols and probiotics, in modulating the gut-brain axis to enhance stress resilience and overall health. Polyphenols, such as resveratrol, curcumin, and blueberries, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can improve gut bioavailability and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. They activate the Nrf2 pathway, upregulating antioxidant *vitagenes* like heme oxygenase-1 and sirtuin-1, thereby inhibiting oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, and inflammation. Probiotics, including *Lactobacillus* and *Bifidobacterium*, also play a crucial role by modulating gut microbiota composition and enhancing the abundance of beneficial bacteria. This modulation can prevent and treat neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The article highlights the bidirectional crosstalk between the gut and brain, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced gut microbiota to prevent neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Additionally, it explores the use of organoid technology to study the gut-brain axis and the potential of natural compounds in therapeutic interventions. The review concludes by discussing the dose-dependent effects of hormetic nutrients and the importance of careful dosing to achieve optimal health outcomes.The article discusses the role of hormetic nutrition, particularly polyphenols and probiotics, in modulating the gut-brain axis to enhance stress resilience and overall health. Polyphenols, such as resveratrol, curcumin, and blueberries, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can improve gut bioavailability and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. They activate the Nrf2 pathway, upregulating antioxidant *vitagenes* like heme oxygenase-1 and sirtuin-1, thereby inhibiting oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, and inflammation. Probiotics, including *Lactobacillus* and *Bifidobacterium*, also play a crucial role by modulating gut microbiota composition and enhancing the abundance of beneficial bacteria. This modulation can prevent and treat neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The article highlights the bidirectional crosstalk between the gut and brain, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced gut microbiota to prevent neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Additionally, it explores the use of organoid technology to study the gut-brain axis and the potential of natural compounds in therapeutic interventions. The review concludes by discussing the dose-dependent effects of hormetic nutrients and the importance of careful dosing to achieve optimal health outcomes.