October 31, 2016
Often our unhealthy habits are driven by our negative mindset and emotional state
But did you know part of that cycle may be because our gut health – or “second brain” – is not functioning properly???
Let’s break it down.
The Second Brain
Within the human gut lies a “second brain”: a vast network of neurons located along the intestinal lining called the enteric nervous system. Research has discovered that the enteric nervous system relays and sends neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, responds to emotions, and has a direct conduit to the brain via the vagus nerve.
This second brain is a source of instinct, subconscious response, and emotion. Heard of “gut feeling”, “gut instinct”, “butterflies in your stomach”, and “got the guts”? That’s why!!!
In fact major neurotransmitters found in the brain — including serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine and nitric oxide — occur plentifully in the gut as well.
So when our gut health is compromised it effects on how we think, feel, perform, and respond to the world around us. In other words, poor digestive health can lead to depression and other mood disorders.
That’s a pretty significant impact to our quality of life.
The good news? Resorting gut health is possible!
Taking Good Care of Your Gut
To keep keep your digestive system in good working order you must keep good bacteria thriving! Here’s some tips on how to do that:
• Avoid sugar. — Bad bacteria thrive on sugar. It is their food of choice. Just say NO to refined sugars like table sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
• Eat the right balance of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fats. – Too many Omega-6 fatty acids can lead to inflammation and exacerbate digestive problems, so it’s important to keep the right balance. Eat foods naturally rich in Omega-3 fats like wild caught fish. Aim for a 2:1 ratio.
• Avoid trans fats. — Trans fats hide in all sorts of foods. To eliminate these from your diet you’ll need to avoid any foods containing partially-hydrogenated oils.
• Eat more soups & stocks. — Homemade stocks from animal bones and cartilage are excellent at promoting digestive health and healing the intestinal lining.
• Eat more fermented & living foods. — Old-fashioned sauerkraut, pickles, chutneys, and fermented dairy products like buttermilk, kefir, sour cream, & yogurt (all made via natural fermentation with good bacteria) help repopulate the gut with good bacteria.
• Supplement with probiotics. — Probiotics help repopulate the gut with good bacteria – but make sure you go for qualtiy!
Here’s to a happy gut and healthy mind!
