1. How gut health affects mental health, mood, cognition, and behavioural problems like ADHD and ASD.
2. Learn what nutrients support the Gut-Brain Axis.
3. Why guess when you can know? – Lab tests you can order today and begin taking charge of your health.
In today’s media climate, it is nearly impossible to read the news or any form of social media without having nutritional information, whether fact or fiction, coming at you from every angle. It is clear that more attention is being paid to personalized nutrition, microbes, inflammation, gut health, and the gut-brain axis, among other topics.
At the forefront of the current global health crisis, regardless of demographics, are mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), chronic fatigue, eating disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and Autism – these and diet-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease are considered the leading cause of disability worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, one in eight people worldwide lives with a mental disorder – let’s let that number sink in for a minute. (1)
In this article, we explore how you have the power to shift this paradigm and begin supporting your parasympathetic nervous system, gut, and mental health through nutrition and supportive techniques like mindful breathing and more. We will delve deeper into the crucial role your vagus nerve plays in neurological and gut health, and learn how vital compounds, such as butyrate (butyric acid), are a key element in this synergistic relationship.
Ancient practices, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), have long recognized the gut-brain connection. It wasn’t until recently that scientists concluded that the governing agent in mental health is not our brain, but rather the answer lies in our gut microbiome. No matter what, one thing is for sure; much of what happens in our brain — our thoughts, moods, and even day-to-day thinking processes — is actually driven by the health of gut microbiome, not just the brain itself – physiologically, research shows that health conditions such as IBS, Crohns, autism, anxiety, depression, Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease to name a few, have a direct link to what is happening in the microbiome of the gut. (2) (3) (4)
So you might ask, how do gut microbiomes communicate with our brain? The answer to that question is not so simple. Several pathways are involved in this complex relationship. However, the main communication network is linked through the largest nerve in the body called the vagus nerve – it is a part of the parasympathetic nervous system and runs through the left and right side of the body extending from the brain stem down to the large intestines – carrying signals between the brain, heart and digestive system. This pathway also regulates specific involuntary body systems, including the respiratory, digestive, and cardiovascular systems, as well as immune function and inflammatory responses in the brain, which are linked to depression and other mental health conditions. (5) (6) (7)
By connecting the brain to the body and the nervous system to the immune system, the vagus nerve acts as the information superhighway, sending signals to each of our organs about how they should function. What is extraordinary is that the main conductor in this orchestra is the gut microbiome. Therefore, the health of your gut microbes shapes the architecture of physiological, metabolic, and mental conditions, including sleep and stress-related responses. They influence memory, mood, and cognition and are clinically and therapeutically relevant to other disorders, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and restless leg syndrome. (9)
Just a few minutes of deep, mindful breathing exercises not only lowers your heart rate and reduces blood pressure, but they are also one of the easiest ways to calm the vagus nerves, leading to a reduction in anxiety and stress responses.
The link between poor mental health and nutritional deficiencies has long been recognized by nutritionists working in the field of complementary health. At the Energetic Health Institute, we learn that your Emotional State, Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, & Energetic Fields make up everything that is you! They are all connected and influenced by the foods you eat and the lifestyle you lead. (10)
Gut microbiomes serve as a crucial bridge between plant compounds and the human body. For example, when gut bacteria consume polyphenols, brightly colored or dark pigmented parts of fruits and vegetables, they thrive. But more importantly, they convert polyphenols, a prebiotic, into compounds that our bodies can absorb. So, polyphenols not only nourish our gut bacteria but also provide us with their health benefits indirectly. This makes polyphenols one of the best ways to support and improve mitochondrial function.
As we look deeper, other prebiotic foods that support the harmonious balance of the gut microbiome include Jerusalem artichoke, onions, dandelion, chicory, oats, garlic, bananas, and psyllium husk, to name a few.
Another crucial compound that has a beneficial effect on gut and mental health disorders is butyrate. Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid considered a postbiotic, as it is a by-product of both prebiotics and probiotics, which feed the good bacteria in the large intestine.
For example, organic psyllium husk is pure fiber – when the microbiome in the lower gut feasts on fiber, butyrate is produced. Butyrate is an essential byproduct for healthy gut function and hormone regulation, and therefore supports healthy brain function, including neurotransmitter concentrations. (11)
As noted, what we eat matters, as most health conditions are caused by an inflammatory response, which can be linked to gut health. Some contributing factors also include a lack of essential nutrients from dietary choices, such as fiber, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are crucial for the optimal functioning of our bodies. (12) (13) (14) (15) (16)
A healthy microbiome is a diverse one: having a variety of beneficial gut bacteria leaves less room for anxiety-inducing pathogens. Feed your gut bacteria with a wide variety of different organic foods and clean water – additional recommendations include: (20) (21) (22) (23)
Mental health practitioners are only now becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of incorporating nutritional approaches into mental health care. In fact, an emerging field of study known as Nutritional Psychology aims to understand the complex ways in which what we eat influences our brain, mood, and mental health. (24) (25) (26) (27)
Treatment options vary, so it is essential to receive a proper diagnosis for digestive health conditions, as some can worsen without treatment and cause permanent damage. Additionally, getting help for a gut health problem may help reduce symptoms of mental health conditions. Some physical symptoms that link gut health and mental health may include:
Why Guess When You Can Know?
Even foods that are organic and healthy may be triggering delayed food allergies and contributing to inflammation and an imbalanced gut microbiome If you want to get started today on educating yourself and taking charge of your health there are two tests that you can order, the IgG Delayed Food Allergy screening and the Gut Microbiome screening – results of the screening are reviewed with you by an Energetic Health Institute Certified Nutritionist.
Please note that it is strictly prohibited for health screenings to include a diagnosis or prescription. The Energetic Health Institute strongly encourages all individuals participating in health screenings to consult their trusted medical team before acting on any educational information acquired during their health screening.
As we begin to understand that mental health conditions are linked to gut inflammation and how microbes utilize the nerve network surrounding our gut to convey their message to our brain, we have the power to assist our body in doing what it knows best to do – to heal. The key to this process is not fad diets or quick fixes – it is through education, implementing a holistic nutritional regime and a healthy lifestyle, which also includes meditation, mindful breathing, grounding, and exercise.
M. Moriah Mor, a Naturopathic Practitioner and Certified Holistic Nutritionist, is the owner of GreenSilk.com. The company is committed to helping individuals lead healthier lifestyles through education, nutrition, life science research, and the development of Professional, High-Grade, Premium health products. Recognized for her outstanding dedication and contributions to the health and wellness industry for more than 18 years, Moriah is a graduate of the Energetic Health Institute, AMCC, and the University of Southern California. Her interest is focused on researching the latest scientific breakthroughs in the holistic health field.
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