RENEW
Trust your Gut? ONLY IF YOU’RE SURE IT’S HEALTHY by Carol Lucia Lopez, CHt, PSYCH-K Facilitator, Carol Lucia Frequency Healing
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ou know the saying, “garbage in, garbage out?” In mathematics and science, it means the quality of output is determined by the quality of the input. This relates to the food and other substances we put into our bodies as well, except that the quality of the output is our physical and mental health. The communication system between your gut and brain is called the “gut-brain axis,” which
means that if we don’t eat right, we can’t think right. The gut and the brain are connected both physically and biochemically via the central nervous system. The vagus nerve is one of the biggest nerves connecting your gut and brain as it sends signals in both directions. Research shows that stress inhibits the signals sent through the vagus nerve and also causes gastrointestinal problems. Your gut and brain
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also are connected through chemicals called neurotransmitters that control feelings and emotions. Ninety percent of the neurotransmitter, serotonin (the happiness chemical), is created in the gut, so it’s no coincidence that depression, anxiety and related mental health conditions can be directly attributed to poor diet. The neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) helps control feelings of anxiety and fear.
Microbes that live in your gut such as short-chain fatty acids, butyrate and propionate also metabolize bile acids and amino acids to produce other chemicals affecting the brain. Gut and gut microbes play an important role in your immune system and inflammation by controlling what is passed into the body and what is excreted. If your immune system is switched on for too long, it can lead to inflammation, which is associated with brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Nutrition plays a vital role in exacerbating or reducing symptoms of brain fog, ADHD and other conditions seemingly unrelated to gut health. To heal, it’s necessary to consider the possibility that certain foods are contributing to symptoms, and the solution is to treat the imbalance using a nutritional approach by eliminating toxins, restoring balance to the microbiome and reducing inflammation. By altering the types of bacteria in your gut, it may be possible to improve your brain health. Why not start today?
