We’ve always heard that the way to a person’s mind is through their stomach, and it couldn’t be more true! This is mainly due to the neuroendocrine signaling pathways having widespread effects throughout your body.
Hence, your gut motility is directly related to the serotonin production in your neural pathways, allowing it to play a significant role in regulating your mental health.
The neuroendocrine connection also regulates immunological signaling pathways throughout the body concerning gut-to-brain signaling and has several implications for the regulation of food intake and the impact of the gut-brain axis.
Gut health is closely linked to digestion, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, pain and stomach upset, and immune health. And now we are getting more aware of the fact that our gut, and particularly the balance of good and bad bacteria, has a lot to do with our mental health.
In fact, depression, anxiety, and bowel movements all play a significant role in this connection. Also, did you know that the gut has its separate brain? Its very own nervous system!
If you’re dealing with depression and anxiety, you may have more to do with what is going on in your gut than you ever thought possible. So, let’s take a closer look.
How the Gut Influences Your Brain
When the body does not release enough oxytocin, the feel-good hormone, it promotes a stress response that has been shown to impact mental health negatively.
Feeling clear and active in our brain makes the gut feel at ease and cared for. If you are experiencing stress and significant worry implications in your life that have caused anxiety and depression, the root cause is gut health.
The small intestines are where we absorb our food intake and nutrients. Plenty of neurotransmitters and mood-regulating hormones like serotonin are released in the small intestine. Having neurological deficiencies can cause more than just an upset stomach.
The feel-good connection of the brain to gut health is made primarily by serotonin produced with the help of the gut microbiome. So it’s not just essential to care for your gut; you need to make it a priority because mental awareness and cognitive behavior stem from the gut.
In that regard, here’s professional advice based on credible research to give you a clear guideline about the food, nutrients, and other measures that can help improve your energy, brain function, and stress response.
Adapting Your Diet to Make Amends
- Make sure you’re receiving ample amounts of fiber.
- Probiotics are gold. Lactobacilli are the most abundant good bacteria found in the gut. Kefir, sauerkraut, Full-fat yogurt, tempeh, miso, Kombucha, pickled food items such as cucumbers, and sourdough bread are good options. Choose a probiotic that works for you, your age, and your lifestyle.
- Eat less oily food as it causes skin problems. If you are experiencing different skin health or acne, it is from your gut health balance.
- We all have heard that stress can cause more than just insomnia. Research states that stress can cause ripple effects in the gut and body. Having practices like meditation, walks in nature, and chanting mantras 108 times can do wonders. The idea here is to keep your cortisol levels in check and allow your body to feel calm.
- Get closer to your circadian rhythm, which, in fact, does affect gut health! Make sure to get adequate sleep; even having 30 minutes to an hour of quality sleep can affect your gut health significantly. Shoot for putting your phone down an hour or two before bed, starting within the p.m. routine that honors your a.m. wake-up.
- Avoid processed foods and sugar. Go for whole grains, whole fruit, and vegetables, and eat a variety of colors. Eat the rainbow, so to speak.
- Incorporate some form of exercise in your routine. With exercise, you can release oxidative stress and lower inflammatory responses while improving metabolism, burning calories, and energy output.
So, listen to your body. Listen to your gut. Make small changes for significant impacts!
