The Number One Threat To Your Mental Health

THE NUMBER ONE THREAT TO

Your Mental Health

Rebuild the health of your gut-brain axis to reverse depression, anxiety, trouble focusing, memory loss, and more.

Whether you realize it or not, your mental health affects every aspect of your life in significant, farreaching ways including your physical health, emotional state, cognitive function, job performance, and relationships

Abraham Lincoln famously said, “People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be ” This is a wise statement, but it does not tell the whole story about depression and other mood-related disorders

Science has come a long way in understanding how physical health impacts mental health and vice versa But there are still numerous factors involved in mood and brain health that are overlooked or not even considered at all when it comes to addressing mental health.

If you have struggled to find relief from depression, anxiety, brain fog, trouble focusing, memory loss, and other mental health-related symptoms, the underlying cause could be something you or your doctor never considered an unhealthy gut.

There are several factors that impact your gut and microbiome health, including stress, inflammation, poor digestion, and a buildup of toxins such as pesticides and heavy metals Keep reading to discover how to rebuild your gut health and improve your mood and brain function.

How the Gut-Brain Axis Influences Your Mental Health

The health of your gut and microbiome directly influences your neurological health, including cognitive function, focus, memory, depression, stress, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit disorder (ADD) An unhealthy gut environment can fuel inflammation in the brain and body, worsening mood disorders and other imbalances in your brain and neurochemistry

Researchers now use the term “gut-brain axis” to describe this complex relationship

Much of the gut-brain axis communication occurs through the vagus nerve, the largest craniosacral nerve in the body that connects the brain to the digestive system This is, in part, why stress and mood disorders directly impact gut function. Over time, stress can cause serious imbalances in digestion and nutrient assimilation, and neurotransmitter production impacting brain function.

Inflammation in the gut from chronic digestive conditions can negatively impact the brain and trigger ongoing stress responses, depression, and serious neurological problems over time. Researchers now believe that the gut’s nervous system is responsible for the emotional changes (including stress and anxiety) experienced by people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other inflammatory gut health issues and symptoms These connections are evidence that inflammation in the GI tract sends signals to the central nervous system (CNS) that result in mood imbalances

In addition, impaired digestion of protein reduces the number of amino acids available to support neurotransmitter production This can directly impact mood, sleep, cravings, and other issues.

Microbiome, Brain, and Mood

The trillions of bacteria living in the gut (and other areas of the body) are called the microbiome, and as research continues to show, these bacteria have significant roles in total-body health and brain function. Typically, a healthy gut has a balance of about 80% beneficial microbes and 20% unhealthy microbes, considered normal to keep gut immunity functioning optimally

When unhealthy microbes outnumber beneficial ones, however, gut dysbiosis develops. Dysbiosis causes gut inflammation and damage It can also significantly impact the health of the brain and nervous system, as well as normal digestive function Research continues to demonstrate how changes in gut microbiota can influence behaviors related to anxiety and depression.

Damage to microbiome populations also reduces the production of neurotransmitters in the gut, resulting in depression, anxiety, and other mood imbalances It is interesting to note that gut dysbiosis has also been linked to multiple sclerosis, autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson’s, and other neurological conditions

Because of these vast linkages, improving your digestive health and overall gut function with natural approaches is the key to supporting a healthy brain and mood, reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, and enhancing neurological function in addition to supporting other essential areas of health such as immune function and energy production.

A note about individual tolerances and food sensitivities

There are many “health” foods that are notoriously hard to digest and promote gut inflammation but these foods may not be the same for everyone For example, fiber from beans or whole grains can be especially gut-friendly for one person yet worsen digestion and gut inflammation in someone else. Keep a food journal to identify potentially triggering foods. (See additional resources below )

Nourish & Heal Your Gut: Foods That Do and Don’t Help

Here are some of the most common helpful/harmful foods for optimal digestion and gut health:

Healing

Antioxidant-rich foods

Potent compounds in antioxidants namely polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins help boost beneficial probiotic strains and/or help decrease harmful strains in the gut

Specific foods and nutrients that have been studied (and shown to offer gut health benefits) include: Tea, coffee, strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, cocoa and dark chocolate, mango, pomegranate, resveratrol (in red wine, red grapes), and quercetin (in apples, red onion)

Fermented foods

Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchee, miso, apple cider vinegar, kombucha, and other fermented foods are rich in probiotics, which are a natural source of beneficial bacteria

Prebiotic foods*

These special carbohydrates help nourish probiotic bacteria and create a hospitable environment for them to populate

High-prebiotic foods:

Artichokes, asparagus, dandelion greens, apples, sunchokes, seaweed, burdock root, jicama, garlic, onions, chicory, konjac root, yacon root, flaxseeds, and seaweed

Coconut oil

This medium chain fatty acid boasts antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties It also contains two fatty acids lauric and caprylic acids that are thought to kill harmful bacteria and yeast and restore acid levels in the stomach Use organic, raw coconut oil

Potentially Harmful

Junk foods

These have a catastrophic effect on your digestive function. We are talking about refined sugar, flours, trans fats, additives, flavorings, colorings, etc These fuel inflammation, promote the growth of unhealthy microbes, and can damage gut function over time

Note: Trans fats appear on labels as “partially hydrogenated” oils; they are often found in fried foods, margarine, baked goods, processed snack foods, and vegetable shortening º

Dairy

Dairy foods contain lactose, which is difficult to digest for many people, leading to gas, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and other unpleasant symptoms

Foods highest in lactose:

Cow’s milk, evaporated condensed milk, and powdered milk; ricotta cheese (highest of any cheese), mozzarella, American, and cottage cheese; yogurt (although, yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that help break down lactose)

Foods lowest in lactose:

Parmesan (lowest of all dairy foods), cheddar, and Swiss cheese; brie, camembert, feta, and other matured cheeses; cream and half-and-half

Dairy products made from goat’s and/or sheep’s milk are easier to digest for some people sensitive to cow’s milk

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Whole, non-GMO, organic foods

Crops that are either genetically modified and/or heavily sprayed with pesticides (more on this below) have been shown in multiple studies to disrupt microbiome balance d t t d bi i

Gluten

Protein found in certain grains, including wheat, barley, semolina flour (in pasta), and rye, that can cause inflammation in the gut and intestinal tract Try a glutenf di t t if f l b tt

Probiotic Supplements —

and Why Many Don’t Work

In recent years, probiotics have been hailed as the cure-all for gut health issues, and a myriad of other health concerns including weight, mood and stress, immunity and more. Unfortunately, nearly half of people taking capsule-based probiotics do not notice any benefits from them. One clinical study shows why: Up to 40% of patients taking regular probiotic supplements do not experience benefits because the bacteria are not able to successfully colonize the lower GI tract

Research and extensive clinical use show that there is a better way to formulate probiotics so they can live up to their true potential and deliver the versatile health benefits you need. It starts with live probiotic strains, fermented with potent digestive herbs and prebiotic nutrients in a liquid delivery system This creates a synergistic formula that helps provide digestive relief and support, also with mood and mental health benefits.

is a certified organic botanically enhanced pre + probiotic liquid supplement that is unlike other probiotic formulas It delivers powerful, fast-acting support for optimal digestion, along with numerous other areas of health.*

Fermentation byproducts in this formula create a balanced gut pH environment where the probiotic bacteria can thrive; the prebiotics nourish the probiotics, so they can flourish and create a healthy GI environment

Organic digestive herbs in are activated and enhanced by fermentation, delivering powerful support for optimal digestive function and a healthy internal terrain.*

Derived from citrus peels and modified for optimal bioactivity and absorption, PectaSol Modified Citrus Pectin is proving to be one of the most important daily supplements for gut and total-body health. Research shows that it helps safely detoxify heavy metals like mercury and lead from the body to prevent or halt their damaging effects including gut and neurological degeneration. PectaSol also provides prebiotic nourishment to support a healthy, balanced gut microbiome *

Pesticide Detox & Gut Health

There is no way to completely avoid them pesticides such as glyphosate are everywhere, and we are exposed daily through our food, air, water, etc Pesticides are especially toxic to the microbiome, negatively impacting nutrient and neurotransmitter production, digestion, and gut wall barrier. They also negatively affect neurological function and mood.

GlyphoDetox

is a first-of-its-kind detox formula that targets microbiome-damaging pesticides including glyphosate, as well as brain-draining mycotoxins from mold and other environmental toxins With a blend of broad-spectrum natural pesticide binders, including fulvic acid, kelp, alginate, and glycine, this formula latches on to toxins in the gut, including mycotoxins, and helps safely eliminate them from the body preventing toxins like glyphosate from being stored in the body and causing microbiome imbalances and cognitive decline supports gut wall integrity, which helps heal leaky gut syndrome. And it also supplies powerful prebiotic nourishment to support gut health and balance.*

GlyphoDetox

meditation

Stress Relief for Better Digestion

One of the best ways to support digestion and enhance your body’s gutbrain connection is with stress relief practices that incorporate mind-body techniques Yoga, tai chi, and are powerful healing methods that can strengthen your vagus nerve and promote greater resilience to stress, while also improving gut function, mood, and brain health.

One pilot study found that regular meditation practice significantly improved symptoms of IBS and inflammatory bowel disease. After nine weeks, participants experienced less pain, improved stress levels, reduced inflammation, and other key benefits

The more you understand your gut-brain connection, the more you can learn about how your lifestyle, diet, and daily habits can influence key areas of your mood and brain health. By taking the steps to support optimal gut health naturally, you can see improvements in mood, brain function, neurological wellness, and long-term, total-body health. mindfulness

Proven support for optimal mental health and cognitive wellness that targets inflammation and pesticide exposure to help you feel better faster.*

SSourcesOURCES

Strandwitz P. Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota. Brain Res. 2018;1693(Pt B):128-133.

Nezami BG, Srinivasan S. Enteric nervous system in the small intestine: pathophysiology and clinical implications Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2010;12(5):358-365

Stevens BR, Goel R, Seungbum K,et al Increased human intestinal barrier permeability plasma biomarkers zonulin and FABP2 correlated with plasma LPS and altered gut microbiome in anxiety or depression. Gut 2018; 67:1555–7

Banerjee A, Sarkhel S, Sarkar R, Dhali GK Anxiety and Depression in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Indian J Psychol Med 2017;39(6):741-745

Maes M, Kubera M, Leunis JC, Berk M Increased IgA, and IgM responses against gut commensals in chronic depression: further evidence for increased bacterial translocation or leaky gut J Affect Disord 2012 Dec 1;141(1):55-62

Sue McGreevey Meditation may relieve IBS and IBD The Harvard Gazette website Updated May 5, 2015

Accessed February 28, 2022