Gut-Brain Axis 101: Can Gut Health Improve Mental Health?
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, what if I told you that the way to his mental health is also through his stomach and gut health? Have you ever heard of the gut-brain axis? Probably not, right? And it’s a shame that this topic isn’t covered more often as it can help many people.
Lately, there seems to be a lot of focus on gut health in terms of immunity and boosting the immune system but zero mention of the gut’s role concerning the brain and mental health.
In this article, we will look at precisely what the gut-brain axis is, how it affects mental health, and how you can be proactive to improve your gut health.
Disclaimer: This article is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition or disease. Use this article for informational purposes only. The information provided should not substitute a medical professional’s advice. If you feel you are suffering from gut or mental health issues, seek the help of a professional.
What is the Gut-Brain Axis?
The gut-brain axis is the ability of the central and enteric nervous systems to communicate together. This communication plays a role in how you think, how you feel (your mood), your digestion, and your overall health. When not optimized, each of those areas can be negatively impacted — causing many different issues. Your enteric nervous system is also referred to as your “second brain” due to the role it plays.
Related Article: Prebiotic 101: The Genius of PreforPro for Gut Health
The gut-brain axis can be altered and improved by consuming certain foods, nutrients, and supplements. For instance, fermented foods, probiotics, and healthy fats containing omega-3 fatty acids can all help improve gut health, which, in turn, helps improve mental health.
Researchers have stated that the gut-brain axis “regulates human behavior and cognition, similar to the brain.”
3 Ways the Gut Affects Mental Health
Inflammation in the body can do a lot of nasty things. That said, a poor gut microbiome combined with or without inflammation can cause several mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression.
Below are a few of the ways that the gut can affect mental health.
1. Keeps Inflammation in Check
Your body is under attack all day long by inflammation. This can be due to exercise, environmental factors, and changes to the gut microbiome. When this happens, the immune system overreacts, leading to an increase in inflammation. If this inflammation is not controlled properly, it can affect the gut-brain axis as well as lead to cognitive diseases that alter your mental health.
Related Article: Too Much Exercise Can Cause Gut Problems
By focusing on gut health, you can improve the microbiome, fight free radicals and inflammation, and boost the immune system so that this precise combination of benefits can prevent mental health issues as well as cognitive diseases.
Click here to continue reading…
*Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links or ads, which means we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. These commissions help support the operation and maintenance of our website, allowing us to continue producing free valuable content. Your support is genuinely appreciated, whether you choose to use our links or not. Thank you for being a part of our community and enjoying our content.
PLEASE CONSIDER SHARING THIS ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA TO HELP OTHERS LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC. SIMPLY CLICK BELOW!
