Could Your Gut Be Your Superhero?

While we recognize that the gut (stomach and intestinal tract) is impacted by emotions, what we may not realize is that the gut also affects the chemistry of the brain. Researchers refer it to as the “second brain”. We feel, physically, what the brain is working through, mentally. Everything effects everything else in the body, so this makes sense.

When you are upset, anxious, depressed, angry, or feel bad about yourself and your situation, what do you do? Eat. But not broccoli or a handful of nuts. Oh no. You ingest comfort foods: mashed potatoes, corn chips, crackers, enough cheese for 3 people. Then you feel better, and worse, at the same time.

A study from the University of Cork, in Ireland, suggests that probiotics and fermented foods can ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, which is what you are after overeating comfort foods. They are not suggesting that these additions to your diet would cure anything, but there is evidence that a lifetime of including gut-friendly bacteria into your diet can ease anxiety and depression symptoms, allowing you to make better choices.

Another study from the University of Mexico found a brain/gut connection between food and mood. Food and mood are related; the thought of liver makes me grumpy, peaches in the summer make me smile.

From mood and food, we can experience depression, which is huge: 350 million people globally, and in the US, 1 in 10 people use antidepressants to function. Some of the side effects of taking antidepressants include nausea, irritability, and anxiety. In addition to therapy and medication, perhaps there is a food supplement. Think yogurt, probiotics, fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, tempeh, kefir, and DARK CHOCOLATE. Ok, chocolate isn’t fermented. You really are what you eat. Over time, these foods help to tamp down depression, increase mental clarity, and temper gut inflammation. When your gut hurts, you don’t think clearly.

90% of serotonin (a feel good helper) is created in the gut. This neurotransmitter affects mood and social behavior, and regulates appetite, digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire and function. And plays a big part in depression, which can lean towards Alzheimer’s. So the next time your gut hurts, try food instead of a pill.

That’s Aging Intelligently