How your gut affects your mood - and 3 secrets to feeling better
How your gut affects your mood - and 3 secrets to feeling better
If you're feeling low or anxious right now, no doubt the craziness in the world right now is a big factor.
But did you know that a hidden cause may be lying inside your gut microbiome?
If you struggle with low moods or anxiousness, here's an important fact. Studies show a strong link between anxiety, depression and gut health.
The good news is it’s totally possible to boost those calm and happy bugs!
Recently in my facebook group I went live about how gut health affects your mood, and vice versa.
Here are the top 3 takeaways.
1. Strengthen your gut-brain connection
Our gut and brain talk to each other! They are connected via the vagus nerve – a communication pathway that sends messages between the gut and brain.
If this connection isn’t strong, it affects the movement of food through our digestive tract and release of digestive enzymes and acids.
It also affects our appetite and the signals that tell us when we’re full.
2. Your gut bacteria holds to the key to your moods
Our gut is our ‘second brain’- we literally have over 100 million neurons (brain cells) in our gut!
Over 80% of our feel-good, ‘happy brain’ chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin, dopamine and the anti-anxiety neurotransmitter GABA are produced by the bacteria in our gut.
This means if our gut isn’t healthy, it will affect our mood, how we feel and respond to stress, and our ability to focus and concentrate.
3. Stress shuts down your digestion
When we’re stressed (in ‘fight or flight’ mode), our digestion slows down.
Our bowels tense up and gastric juices stop flowing. Our cortisol levels rise, leading to sugar and carb cravings. These sugars feed the bad bacteria in our gut – leading to more bloating and gut imbalance.
It’s a vicious cycle!
Over time, chronic stress also leads to gut dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut flora), as well as inflammation and damage to the gut lining.
So what do we do about it?
Eat a diet filled with fresh, plant-based wholefoods – these contain prebiotics to feed the good bacteria in our gut. I recommend following the Healthy Plate formula – learn more about this in my facebook group! And check out my wholefood recipe books here!
Consider a gut microbiome stool test to identify whether you have a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which strains are missing and which are overgrown. Find out more about my gut microbiome testing service here.
Manage stress levels to activate the parasympathetic nervous system for healthier digestive function. Find a practice and daily habits that work for you – whether yoga, getting out in nature, deep belly breathing, dancing, reading or getting professional help.
Consider certain strains of probiotics that help strengthen the gut brain connection and support mood and mental health. These include L Acidophilus, B Bifidum, L Helveticus, L Rhamnosus, L Plantarum, L Casei and B Longum.
Supplement with nutrients that support brain health – studies show that omega 3’s, magnesium, B vitamins, zinc and glutamine are particularly helpful for mood and brain function.
Want help putting these into practice?
As a Gut Health Practitioner with a prior background in mental health I invite you to my Healthy Gut Reset program – a unique holistic program that goes beyond just food and diet.
It takes a holistic approach, and will help you nurture the gut-brain connection, manage stress and boost your gut health to give you the best possible chance of producing the serotonin and GABA for brighter, calmer moods.
This powerful, proven 8 week program is for women who are ready to beat the bloat, boost energy and digestion, and be the better, healthiest versions of themselves.
Click here to find out more about the Healthy Gut Reset Program - 8 weeks to love your gut and change your life. Or book a one on one session - see my Practitioner Services for more info.
Or join my community in the Healthy Gut Space facebook group for more healthy gut tips!
