Alabama Residents Learn the Connection Between Gut Health and The Brain

There are many common illnesses that are linked to your intestinal health. In fact, your gut is responsible for controlling other body systems. The health of your gut determines your mood and your brain function. Medical researchers refer to your gut as another “brain.” If you’re experiencing chronic depression, anxiety, or other unexplained illness, your gut health could have the answers.

Understanding Your Gut

Your gut is the home to millions of nerve cells that live in the intestinal tract. Your gut controls the entire digestive process. From the time you swallow food until it is broken down and digested by your stomach bacteria and digestive enzymes,  your gut is on duty.

The intestinal tract is constantly working to promote good health in your body. Nerve signals, hormones, and stomach bacteria are all communicating to keep up the many processes your body uses to maintain life and fight infections. Researchers have also discovered that the gastrointestinal tract communicates with portions of the brain.

Gut Health Equals Brain Health

Many people experience chronic intestinal issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gastroenteritis, constipation, upset stomach, and others. The things you eat, drink, and breathe in all impact your health. Some doctors and other medical professionals think anxiety and depression cause these problems. However, that is not always the case. In fact, the reverse is often true. The things that you eat, drink, and breathe can contribute to anxiety and depression as well as other chronic intestinal symptoms and diseases

Patients that deal with depression are often treated with medications that target chemical imbalances in the brain. While these medications may help ease nervous symptoms in the brain and the gut, they may contribute to vitamin or mineral deficiencies which may actually refueling the symptoms of depression. These medications may also mask other deeper issues and lead to unwanted side effects. Patients have another “brain” that also needs attention and should not be ignored.

Depression And Your Gut

If your gut is the control center, or “brain,” of your intestinal tract, then your entire body’s health relies on the health of your gut. If your gut isn’t healthy, then you’re going to experience mood changes and trouble thinking. This is where researchers believe your gut health is linked to brain health.

Caring For Your Intestinal Health

Keeping a healthy gut is more important people realize. If your gut is where illness starts, then it’s important to start your health journey in the same place.

Your stomach bacteria is equally important as other organs in your body. Gut health means better sleep, moods, and thinking skills. So, how do you ensure your overall health?

Drink Water

Drinking water is the best thing you can do for your body. Water rids your body of toxins and helps you absorb more nutrients. It’s great for your skin and helps organ function.

Sleep Routine

Getting more sleep lowers your stress levels. Lack of sleep contributes to constipation, obesity, depression, and other health problems. Aim for at least 8 restful hours each night. Sufficient sleep helps heal your gut from illness.

Exercise

Moving around supports the health of all your body systems. Including daily meditation and fitness keeps anxiety and stress levels lower. Find a great routine that works for you.

Limit artificial food

Commit to eating gut-friendly foods. “Artificial food” include foods that are have processed components, sugars, additives, and gluten containing grains. Remember, when looking at a food label, if it lists ingredients you never heard of or can’t pronounce,  they are probably artificial and processed food components you should avoid. Think of eating more fresh and organic foods such as:

• Garlic
• Leeks
• Yogurt
• Kiefer
• And more…

Eat foods that are rich in good bacteria and those that help sustain good bacteria.

Take A Daily Probiotic

Taking a quality probiotic every can be a key element in a plan for restoring and maintaining intestinal health. Probiotics can not only help restore your gut’s natural health but also your overall health. Probiotics help reduce inflammation within the gut and enable your gut to heal.

We work to determine the cause of health issues by starting with the intestinal tract. Our goal is to heal the body from the inside out. If you’re looking for a natural approach to health, contact us today to get started.