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Writer's pictureMaria Monem

The link between gut health & happiness

“Gut health is the key to overall health” – Kris Carr.

Have you heard of the gut-brain connection?

It may sound strange that our gut and brain are communicating with each other and that the microbes in our gut can affect how we are feeling but it is true. Our gut and our brain are deeply connected...


The gut is a group of organs that includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, colon, and rectum.


Our gut is made up of about 100 trillion bacteria and there are 100,000 times more microbes in your gut as there are people on Earth.


We are more foreign bacteria than we are human.

Only about 10% of the cells in or on a human are actually human!


What does these bacteria do?

These gut bacteria, also called gut microbiota, made up of Bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses produce neurochemicals that the brain then uses to regulate basic physiological and mental processes like helping to digest food, synthesize vitamins, fight infections but they also regulate learning, memory and mood. This communication between the central nervous system and gut microbiota is what we call the gut-brain connection, or gut-brain axis but the gut is not only linked to the brain or digestive system but also to our hormones.

How is it connected?

It is connected through a nerve called The Vagus nerve. This nerve acts like a major pathway that send signals in both directions and it runs from the brain, through the lungs, heart, spleen, liver, kidneys, and down to the intestines and in the lining of the intestinal wall there are neuropod cells that communicate with vagal neurons upon stimulation by molecules in the gut such as the nutrients present in food particles, bacteria or pathogens.


A troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut. A person's stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression. Think of how your body reacts before you go up on stage or presenting to a big crowd. You may feel nauseated or start sweating. The connection between the gut and the brain is very intimate but there is also a very important hormone that plays a role in this;


Serotonin

Serotonin is the key hormone that stabilizes our mood, feelings of well-being, appetite, sleep and happiness!


The gut bacteria manufacture about 90% of the body’s serotonin supply.


Certain types of microbes in the gut can directly stimulate the production and release of serotonin in the cells but If your gut isn’t functioning correctly it may be that these cells aren’t able to produce the right levels of serotonin needed to balance your mood.


This is why you want to make sure that you are looking after your gut bacteria. They play a crucial role in our mental health and wellbeing.


6 Things you can do daily to protect your gut and boost your mood

  1. Incorporate more pre & probiotics. Prebiotics are types of dietary fibers and fiber is the key to a healthy gut.

  2. Hydrate by drinking lots of water and eat hydrating foods like spinach, cucumber, water melon. Water flushes out the body’s toxins and bad bacteria.

  3. Reduce Stress – Stress is one of the biggest killers of good gut bacteria.

  4. Sleep more and better. A good night’s sleep of 7-9 undisturbed hours is another way to improve your gut health and boost your immune system.

  5. Exercise. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. And it’s also a powerful medicine for many common mental health challenges.

  6. Spend time in nature. Being outside exposes you to more microorganisms and the more species that reside in your belly, the healthier you are.

Studies show that It only takes 2-4 days to change your gut microbiota if you eat right so this week, try to follow the steps above and see how you feel after.


To read more about gut foods click on the link below:

For gut food recipes, click on the link below:

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