Gut Health: Your Unhealthy Gut May Affect your Thinking
The gut-brain axis reveals surprising connections between digestion and mental health. Explore how trillions of gut microbes influence cognition, mood disorders, and why maintaining gut health could be key to preventing brain fog and supporting mental wellbeing.
Gut health and the gut-brain link, yes, it’s real! The gut may be the root of many of your health issues, including impaired thinking. The gut is an absolute hub of microbes, including bacteria and fungi.
Essential Insights into a Healthy Gut
Did you know: The gut has 10 times more microbes than the human body has skin cells. Scary but true! Of particular concern to scientists is the effect that gut flora may have on mental health, as a mounting body of research suggests that gut bacteria can have a significant impact on the way we think, feel, and behave, as well as on the development of neurological conditions.
How are Gut Health and the Mind Linked?
Recent studies have shown that your brain can influence your gut, and conversely, your gut can also impact your brain health. You see, there is a communication system between your gut and brain. This is known as the gut-brain axis. Your gut is jam-packed with trillions of microbes that live in your digestive system. These microbes also make chemicals vital to your gut, but they also affect how your brain works. So yes, that foggy brain could be due to sugar overload. Scary? We thought so!
Mental Health Disorders Linked to an Unhealthy Gut
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
This does not, however, mean that every case is necessarily linked to the gut. It is, however, worth pursuing as a means to determine that all is well in the gut. This will not only exclude any possibility but also ensure a healthy digestive tract. When it comes to treatment, don’t ignore the signs; instead, set aside time for neurofeedback. Mental health is not something to be taken lightly. We highly recommend a health check at a trusted practice.
