Many people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, memory
loss, addictions, migraines and more, may actually have a health problem in
their gut.
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is actually called the “Second
Brain”.
When we were being formed in our mother’s womb, two brains
were formed. One obviously went to our head and the other one went to our gut. They
are connected together through the Vagus nerve. This allows both of the brains
to communicate.
An example of that would be, when you are experiencing high
moments of stress, fear or anxiety you may feel “butterflies” in your stomach,
or you may feel queasy, or if it’s a very negative situation you may feel like
someone “punched you in the stomach”. We’ve all felt such feelings in our gut during
strong emotions.
That is because one of the vital aspects of our digestion
system is the production of serotonin – the “feel good” hormone. Most people
think it comes from your head, but actually over 95% of the body’s serotonin is
found in the GI tract. Your gut plays an important role in the production of
serotonin and many of the body’s vital functions.
You know it to be true, because when you aren’t “regular”
and feeling good in your gut, your whole health is affected.
Many health problems are attributed to a lack of serotonin
including depression, anxiety, addictions, and migraines. It also affects digestive
disorders, such as IBS, diarrhea, constipation, plus skin conditions and even
some auto-immune diseases.
Serotonin is manufactured from the amino acid tryptophan,
which is derived from the food we eat. So what we eat can greatly affect our
overall health.
Diet influences not only the state of our digestive system
and overall physical health, it also has a profound impact on memory, mental
clarity, mood and even the foods we crave. These functions are all regulated by
hormones including serotonin.
So what can you do?
Many people reach for over the counter medications to help
with stomach acid and reflux. When they stop working, they turn to prescription
medications from the doctor. They may work temporarily, but they have side
effects. The body tries to overcome the medications, making the situation
worse. They spiral out of control. Stronger meds are introduced and later the
symptoms return. It’s a vicious cycle.
To break this vicious cycle you must heal the gut. You do
this through diet. The type of food you eat
and don’t eat is so very important.
Certain food groups need to be added – fresh vegetables and
lots of them, whole grains, but be careful of seeds and nuts. An unhealthy gut
cannot process seeds and nuts and can make situations worse.
Fruits in moderation can be good, but be careful of acidic
fruits while the gut is healing. Dairy also may need to be avoided. You will
want to make sure you are taking a good calcium supplement to make up for it.
Lean protein, preferably a vegetable sourced protein like
soy is best. You want to avoid heavy meats like beef. The stomach and
intestines have to work extra hard to break down beef and if it’s sick, it won’t
do so efficiently.
Since you will be cutting back on animal protein, you must
make up for the lack of protein by adding it back in through a vegetable
sourced protein. You must have an
adequate supply of protein to build a healthy body.
Probiotics are definitely a must and lots of them. A good,
but healthy cleanse is needed, but do not do harsh cleanses and you should always
do them with the guidance of a knowledgeable health guide. If you are on
medications for other health problems, consult with your doctor first and
monitor your health during a cleanse to adjust medications accordingly.
There are some other supplements that have been shown to
greatly help heal the gut, but everyone is an individual. It is best to talk
with someone who can ask the right questions to determine the best course of
action based on your individual needs.
Would you like to talk with us to learn more about having a
healthy gut?
Please make an appointment with us to discuss your specific
situation. To do this, you can click the “Contact Us” tab up top and fill out
the short form and submit it. We will then contact you to set up a time to
talk.
When you make an appointment with us we can also share with
you a wonderful webinar that we did on Natural
Approaches to Reflux, IBS, and Leaky Gut - Healing the Digestive System
Naturally.
This webinar that is only 30 minutes long does a wonderful
job of explaining how healing the gut can help your health, both physical and
mental. It also goes into more detail about diet and supplements. This is available
free when you make an appointment for a free consultation.
We hope this helps you understand the vital importance of
healthy gut to your overall health and mental health!
Be well my friends.
Julie
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and
Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure,
or prevent any disease.
Please consult with a doctor for medical advice.
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