Mind-Gut Connection
Leaky Gut, IBS, & Gastritis don’t stop at your stomach.
Up to 50 million of the American population suffers from IBS, and 80% of that number are women. Around 2 million doctors visits in 2023 have been attributed to gastritis. Over 4 million people are affected by ulcers every year. So many diagnosis’s.. yet so little information! Why does this happen? What does it imply?
By exploring the gut and the brain connection, we can get some answers. This connection is called the gut-brain axis, and is a complex network of neurons, chemicals, and hormones. The gut-brain axis allows communication between the brain and the gut, and this communication can have a significant impact on our mood, behavior, and overall health.
One study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that individuals with depression had lower levels of certain types of gut bacteria compared to healthy individuals. Another study published in the journal Nutrients found that certain probiotics could reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.
That being said, when your stomach is in a constant state or inflammation, the integrity of your mucus membranes is damaged, or you’re experiencing constantly bloating, gas, or pain… it’s likely that your mental health isn’t as good as it could be.
Gut Health and Happiness
It’s been recently discovered that roughly 95% of serotonin production occurs in the gut. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation, bone health, sleep, and sexual function. Your gut has a highly complex network of neurons, also known as the ‘second brain’ that produce a majority of this neurotransmittor. Scientifically named the enteric system, the second brain is connected to the “primary” brain via the vagus nerve, which transports signals like hunger and happiness up to your central system. When your belly health is compromised, so is your mental health. In the following study, patients with GERD had consistently higher rates of anxiety and depression, in comparison to their healthy control counterparts.
Your acid reflux, hyperacidity/gastritis/UC/ulcer/IBS/leaky gut is literally affecting your mental state.
Taking Back Your Health
What you eat has a huge impact on your GI and mental health. By integrating herbs that calm and soothe your gastric lining, by eating foods that “feed the good bacteria” that are beneficial to your gut and mind, and “starving” the bad bacteria, your stomach will heal and your moods and emotional well-being will follow suit.
You may be thinking at this point “well, I’m not sad, I’m not anxious.. I just want to drink my coffee in the morning without burping up acid.” And I’m here for that too, because truly, they are one and the same. The BellyLaugh Blog focuses on the food, lifestyle, and herbal medicine choices you can take to protect your gut, calm the nervous system, and promote healing through natural remedies. .
First-Line Therapy
It's a good idea to try treatments with no side effects before turning to medications.
Here are some things you can consider:
Diet: Changing what you eat can help.
Exercise: Staying active can make a difference.
Microbiota-Targeted Therapies: These focus on the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut.
Psychological Treatments: Therapy can be very effective.
Reduce Inflammation
One way to reduce inflammation is to eat a healthy diet rich foods that are high in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, nuts, and seeds.
Regular exercise and stress management routines can also help reduce inflammation. Exercise, meditation, and breath-work has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.
Microbiome
Our microbiome is responsible for our overall health. The microbiome is a collection of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that live in our gut. The microbiome plays a vital role in our overall health, including digestion, immune function, and mental health.
To maintain a healthy microbiome, it's important to eat a healthy diet rich in fiber and fermented foods. Probiotics and prebiotics can also help promote a healthy microbiome.
By taking care of both our physical and mental well-being, we can improve our overall health and quality of life.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34203002/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35057580/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32529075/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31460832/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33493503/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29843470/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22392290/. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33810878/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28570327/