Did you know that your gut tract produces approximately 90% of your body’s serotonin? According to most medical researchers, serotonin is the chemical responsible for maintaining mood balance & interest in gut health & tools to improve it for mind, body & emotional wellness is fast becoming a hot topic due to latest findings that the relationship between the brain and gut is bidirectional!
The gut is connected to the brain via the vagus nerve, the enteric nervous system and the gut-brain axis with the enteric nervous system being referred to as the “second brain” because of its ability to communicate with the central nervous system through the parasympathetic & sympathetic nervous systems. This allows the brain to have a direct effect on the stomach, just as the stomach has a direct effect on the brain! For example, the term ‘butterfly’s in the stomach’ is created by catastrophic thinking or future dread & vice versa – nausea or sickness in the gut will send alerts up to inform the brain that the body is distressed so understanding how the brain and gut are connected is proving essential for optimum wellness & mental clarity!
So, with our diet contributing to our gut health which we now know influences our mental health, it turns out that we really are what we eat! If you experience anxiety, depression, brain fog, Autism or OCD, your gut may be the culprit & improving gut bacteria or otherwise known as gut flora, would be worth a shot!
What is Gut Bacteria?
Lining the intestine, aiding the digestion process, supporting vitamin production, communicating with the immune system & creating small molecules that support brain function, gut bacteria is essential for health and a vital part inside of us.
We all produce an even balance of healthy gut bacteria and bad bacteria but if bad bacteria has taken over, a whole host of physical and mental challenges can present!
Warning Signs That Can Indicate Bad Gut Bacteria Overload!
- Depression, Low Mood & Mood Swings
- Bloating, Diarrhea, Gas or Constipation
- Fatigue & Brain Fog
- Joint Pain
- Sugar Cravings
- Chronic Bad Breath
How To Improve Your Gut Health
- Eat Vegetables & 75% of Live Foods Daily
- Eat Foods Rich in Polyphenols – Blueberries, Broccoli, Green Tea, Almonds, Red Wine, Dark Chocolate
- Limit Artificial Sweetners
- Avoid Processed Foods
- Introducing A Variety Of Whole Foods To Your Diet
- Bust Stress & Seek Professional Help To Move On From Emotional Blocks & Trauma
Specialising & working with clients to optimise mind, body & emotional wellness, contact me directly on 07534 046547 for further information & confidential professional support.
All Dis-ease Begins In The Gut – Hippocrates
