Gut Brain Support
The gut-brain connection has long been understood by many cultures around the world. It has only been in recent years however that western science has acknowledged the importance of this connection. The impact of a healthy internal ecosystem on brain function, mood, immunity and general health is coming further and further into focus within conventional medicine. It is now understood that the gut produces about 80% of our serotonin and that rebuilding a young person’s internal microbiome can show amazing behavioural results in children. Here are just a few things to consider when thinking about gut health:
Gut flora and probiotics: your gut flora has all of the beneficial bacteria that live along your digestive tract. The things you eat impact these bacteria and the type of chemicals they produce. If you grow healthy beneficial bacteria then they will produce healthy chemicals that aid immunity, brain function and cognition and increase metabolism. Fermented foods are wonderful ways to add probiotics into your system, even try making your own sauerkraut or kombucha at home! But if you’re having trouble sorting out your digestion, or just feeling a bit sluggish come in and have a consultation with our friendly naturopath Jacquelyn who can prescribe you a wonderful selection of helpful herbs as well as our Biome Daily Probiotic to give your gut the support it needs.
Healthy diet and exercise - What we put in our body plays a huge role in our mental health. Healthy foods will increase our beneficial bacteria, modulate our digestion and send happy chemicals to our brain. Exercise will aid all of this and is a vital part of a happy and healthy bodily ecosystem by using up stress hormones and benefiting every vital process our body undertakes.
Stress relief - As stress impacts our daily lives, hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline continue to impact our systems and build up in our body if we don’t give ourselves the time we need to restore. Give yourself some recreational time; go for a walk, drink a slow cup of tea, try some guided meditation, or even try out some essential oils. All of these things will help restore your nervous system which will then improve your digestion and your mental health. Try particular types of teas which aid your gut such as peppermint, or teas which aid your nervous system such as lemon balm and passion flower.
It can be hard to do all of the things we feel we should be doing for ourselves, the main thing is to remember that you’re doing your best and not to stress thinking that you’re not doing enough for yourself or the people around you. Stress is counter productive so just remember that you’ll do what you can when you can and you’re doing a great job already.
TA Team
