Mental health disorders have steadily been rising.
There are many factors that contribute to mental health disorders, but today we’re going to talk about one of the big ones: gut health.
The health of your gut has a profound impact on the health of your brain. When looking at signs of mental illness the brain is often the center of attention and the gut can be overlooked, however, the two are intricately connected.
The gut, often referred to as our second brain, is lined with more than 100 million nerve cells. Cross-communication between the brain and gut occurs through multiple biological networks involving the neural network, neuroendocrine system, immune system, and metabolic pathways, which enable bidirectional communication.
When your gut health is less than optimal or you have a leaky gut, it signals that something is wrong to the brain (and vice versa!). This changes how neurotransmitters are produced and over time can cause a multitude of conditions, including anxiety and depression.
What are some reasons your gut health can suffer? To name a few – eating a heavily processed diet, stress, environmental toxins, heavy antibiotic use, and more.
To help your brain and gut, consider the following tips:
1. Eat whole, organic foods as much as possible
2. Reduce stress and negative emotions
3. Remove toxic products from your home
4. Eat probiotic-rich foods
6. Spend time outside
7. Get quality sleep
Gut health issues can be complex and take a long time to repair but you will see SO many benefits if you make this investment in your health.
If you are looking for professional help to heal your gut, give us a call at 217-864-2700 or contact us here.