The Gut-Brain Alliance

 

Does food affect our mood?

The digestive system has within itself a mind of its own. This "mind'  housed in the enteric nervous system (ENS) functions in very much the same way as the brain of the central nervous system (CNS). Just as the brain transmits signals, responds to stimuli and records experiences; the "second" brain does the same exact thing. The "brain in your gut" is changing health practitioners understanding of the links between digestion, mood, health and even the way you think.  It was once believed that depression and anxiety contributed to digestive problems, but researchers now believe it may be the other way around.  If you've ever had a "gut feeling" or felt "butterflies in your stomach", you were getting signals from the brain in your abdomen.  This abdominal brain is where feelings and moods occur.  The gut and brain are in constant communication.  They are so connected that they can feel each other.  A gut problem can affect the brain and a brain problem can affect the gut. The brain produces thought and the gut produces moods.  The two are intimately connected. 

If there is a gut-brain connection, then the foods we consume can have an impact on our thoughts and  emotions. In 2021, I was diagnosed with H-Pylori. H-Pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach. Prior to the diagnosis, I experienced a high level of anxiety that seemed to come out of nowhere.  After researching the symptoms of H-Pylori, I found that anxiety is a common symptom.  This is when I began to understand the connection between the stomach and emotions.   I experienced anxiety because my gut flora was off balance. When the H-Pylori cleared, the anxiety went away.  If a unhealthy gut is the reason for the anxiety, I wonder how many other mood issues are related to the gut.  There is research to suggests that a healthy diet can boost brain function and improve mood. Also, studies show that a lack of certain dietary nutrients may contribute to the development of mental disorders. I believe there is a direct correlation between what we eat and how we think and feel. Your gut exerts a tremendous amount of influence on the rest of your body including your mental health. Poor gut health has been linked to mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Also, when the gut gets inflamed, the inflammation places such stress on the system that molecules are released that directly influence brain function. Are mental health issues really gut issues? Researchers now believe  that gut inflammation may be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s. Nutrition affects mental health as well as physical health. Therefore, it is important that we consume life giving plant-based foods that provide essential vitamins and minerals to our bodies.  As we incorporate more fruit, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds into our diets, we are providing the body what it needs to function properly. Not only will these provide vitamins and minerals, but they also help to reduce inflammation and to reduce the likelihood of developing chronic diseases.  Let's do our best to make our guts happy, because it seems it will give us the like in return.