How Are The Gut And Brain Connected?
More and more research is coming out on this, and it is truly a fact that our mental health is connected to our gut health. Physiologically, there is a bi-directional connection between the gut and the brain which is hardwired anatomically via the vagus nerve (besides just digestion, the vagus nerve oversees many other bodily functions, including control of MOOD).
How Does The Gut Control The Hormones That Are Released?
Microbes in our gut impact the synthesis & expression of neurotransmitters – very important for our mood and overall well-being. This includes GABA (related to fear/anxiety), dopamine (elicits feelings of pleasure and satisfaction), & serotonin (stabilizes our mood and produces feelings of well-being and happiness) to name a few.
In fact, 95% of the neurotransmitter Serotonin (which stabilizes our mood and produces feelings of happiness) is made in the gut!
Irritable Bowel Syndrome And Anxiety/Depression
Studies have also shown that there is a large connection between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and anxiety/depression. People with IBS often have co-morbid psychological distress such as anxiety or depression.
IBS patients are often treated with antidepressants. Psychotherapy has also been shown to be very effective and helpful in treating GI conditions such as IBS.
Get Your Gut Health Tested
If you experience mental health concerns, it could be very helpful to get your gut health checked out! I run and interpret a comprehensive microbiome test with my clients so that we can see exactly what is going on inside the gut and causing imbalances within the body.
I have so many clients that come to me with chronic anxiety, depression, and mood swings…and they feel dramatically better once we do some gut-healing work. The same goes for me – I truly could not decrease my lifelong anxiety until I worked on healing my gut & balancing my blood sugar.
Nutritional Therapy For Gut Health
The way that our gut health and digestion are functioning is an important indicator of the health of our body as a whole. The best gut health supplements can play a significant role in maintaining optimal gut health. Studies have shown a strong correlation between gut health and our immune system, as well as gut health and our mental health.
Gut health is always the place to start when healing chronic health issues. Nutritional Therapy helps people feel their absolute best by acknowledging the mind-body connection, healing gut health and helping people feel their absolute best through implementing natural dietary and lifestyle recommendations.
