What Role Does Our Gut Play in Mood?
Stress, for example, is intimately tied to our guts.Our bodies respond to stress with a “fight or flight system,” related to our
cortisol levels and which is ruled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
When something scary or worrying happens, like someone unexpectedly
jumps in front of you or you see a mouse scurrying in front you, you
have a physical reaction: your palms might get sweaty and you might feel
your heartbeat quicken.
Typically, if you’re in a stressful
situation that is then diffused, your body goes back to normal. But if
you’re constantly stressed, your body is stuck in that fight or flight
phase over an extended period of time. The critical part is that our
bodies are unable to distinguish between physical and mental stress. So
your body would respond the same way if a bear showed up in your home as
it does when you realize you hate your job — it will try to combat the
stress.
This constant state of stress causes chronic inflammation;
the body reacts to the stress as a type of infection and tries to
overcome it. Because
inflammation is at the root of many diseases,
this exposure to prolonged stress can have serious consequences for
your health, ranging from high blood pressure to autoimmune disorders.
The types of bacteria found in the gut — “good bacteria” — play a role
in how our immune responses are regulated.
Additionally, the gut
microbiome is believed to be linked to disorders like depression and
autism. For years, scientists and doctors have noticed that people with
autism often have GI issues like food allergies or
gluten intolerance. That led researchers to believe that perhaps there was something different about the gut makeup of autistic people.
A
2013 study found that when a certain type of bacteria was given to mice
that had similar behavioral characteristics as humans with autism, the
gut microbiome of these mice changed, along with their behavior. They
became less anxious and were more social with other mice.
Doctors
are even changing the way they dispense medicine as a result of the
connection between our gut brains and our mood. Some doctors may
prescribe particular antidepressants to treat diseases like
irritable bowel syndrome.
That
doesn’t mean they believe that the digestive problems are all in
someone’s head. Rather, it’s thought that these medications can improve
the link between the gut and the brain, providing digestive relief in
the process.
Natural Remedies for Your Gut-Brain Connection:-
While
there’s still much to uncover about the mystery of the gut and all it
affects, we are sure of a few things you should do to improve your
gut-brain connection.
1. Avoid Processed Foods:-
For
starters, a whole foods-based diet leads to a gut with a much different
makeup than one that’s been fed mainly refined and processed foods.
Even worse,
ultra-processed foods
like white bread, chips and snack cakes that make up nearly 60 percent
of the average American’s diet. The added sugar found in these foods,
often disguised as different types of
artificial sweeteners, are responsible for a variety of health conditions, from obesity to type 2 diabetes to migraines.
2. Eat Probiotics:-
Eating
probiotic-rich foods,
like kefir and sauerkraut, can also cause your gut and mood to
thrive. Probiotics are good bacteria that primarily line your gut and
are responsible for nutrient absorption and supporting your immune
system.
3. Swear Off Gluten:-
For many people,
limiting gluten
will also have positive effect on their gut microbiome. The traditional
methods of soaking, sprouting and souring grains in order to make them
digestible and nutritious has been abandoned for a fast and convenient
method of mass producing food.
4. Eat Healthy Fats:-
Healthy fats are essential for brain development.
Olive oil,
for instance, includes a high amount of antioxidants that protect your
cells from damage. It also helps improve memory and cognitive function,
and works as an anti-inflammatory.
Avocado benefits range from protecting your heart to helping with digestion, but it’s also a great pick for improving your mood.
5. Consume Mushrooms:-
The shiitake mushroom contains plenty of
vitamin B6. Because
vitamin B6 impacts the production of serotonin and neurotransmitters,
healthy B6 levels are associated with a positive mood and reducing
stress naturally. It’s also been proven to effectively treat mood disorders like depression.
6. Eat Nuts
Have
a small handful of nuts like almonds, cashews, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
Why? They’re full of serotonin, a feel-good chemical that’s in short
supply when you’re depressed.
7. Have Sesame Seeds:-
Its benefits stem from
tyrosine,
an amino acid that boosts the brain’s dopamine levels. It kicks the
feel-good hormone into high gear while balancing out the others.
We
don’t have all the answers on the gut-mood link just yet, but one thing
is certain: our bodies and minds are much more connected than you
believe. Taking care of one part will reap benefits for the rest of you.