How is your gut related to your mental health?

Ever Felt “Butterflies” In Your Stomach Before A Big Presentation?

Maybe You Have Noticed When You Are Stressed , Your Digestion Completely Shuts Down ?

Psychiatry Is Moving Away From The Idea That Mental Health Is “All In Your Head.” It’s In Your Biology, Your Environment, And yes in Your Lunch. Taking Care Of Your Gut Isn’t Just About Digestion; It’s One Of The Most Powerful Ways To Take Care Of Your Mind.

Let’s Understand How ?

Your Brain And Your Gut Is Connected By A High-Speed Fiber-Optic Cable Called The Vagus Nerve.(Gut-brain Axis) While The Brain Sends Signals About Stress, The Gut Sends Back Information About Your Immune System And Hormones. In Fact, About 90% Of The Fibers In The Vagus Nerve Are Sending Information From The Gut To The Brain, Not The Other Way Around.

So, Your Gut Is Actually The One Doing Most Of The Talking !

Most People Think Of Serotonin (The “Feel-Good” Hormone) As A Brain Chemical. But, Roughly 95% Of Your Body’s Serotonin Is Produced In Your Gut & The Bacteria Living In Your Digestive Tract Help Synthesize The Precursors To These Mood-Regulating Chemicals.

If Your Gut Bacteria Are Out Of Balance, Your “Happiness Supply Chain” Might Get Interrupted.

Is your gut health causing your brain fog ?
If Your Gut Is Constantly Sending “Distress Signals” (Due To Gas, Bloating, Or Bad Bacteria), Your Brain Stays In A State Of Low-Grade Chronic Stress. This Hijacks Your Prefrontal Cortex; Used For Complex Thinking & Leaves You Mentally Exhausted.

Simple Ways To Feed Your Mental Health

Diversify Your Plate: Aim For 30 Different Plant-Based Foods A Week. Diversity In Food Leads To Diversity In Gut Bacteria, Which Leads To A More Resilient Brain.

Natural Psychobiotics: ( Bacteria For Your Mood.)
(Walnuts, Blueberry, Dark Chocolate, Flaxseeds, Chia Seeds & Green Tea)
– Lower Cortisol (The Stress Hormone),Reduce Symptoms Of Anxiety And Depression,Improve “Brain Fog” And Cognitive Clarity.

Manage Stress: If You Are Chronically Stressed, Your Brain Sends “Danger” Signals To The Gut, Which Can Kill Off Good Bacteria. Deep Breathing And Meditation Aren’t Just For Your Mind; They Protect Your Microbiome.

References:
The Gut And The Brain | Harvard Medical Schoolhttps://Hms.Harvard.Edu/News-Events/Publications-Archive/Brain/Gut-Brain