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TRUST YOUR GUT.... NO, REALLY!
We ALL want to feel better. We read up. We do "things." We make promises to ourselves. We forget to check in with the biggest player in the game: The GUT. Scientists call the gut the "second brain" because it plays such a huge role in overall health and well-being. Let's talk a little bit about the mind-body connection, how the gut-brain connection affects health, and how literally trusting your guy can help you feel so much better physically and emotionally.
The Gut: Your Second Brain:
The body is a complex machine, running all kinds of operations at the same time to keep you alive and functioning. Your gut serves as a parallel processor, checking that everything is as it should be with organic functions and letting the big grey brain know what's going on. In ancient times, people relied on instinct to nourish themselves, without the overwhelming complexities of modern nutrition. They trusted their gut instincts to find the right foods, rich in essential nutrients for survival. They ate to live. We evolved from that, eating the meat, and fruit, and vegetables that were available to us. Our guts evolved to handle those foods.
The Gut-Brain Connection Explained
The gut-brain connection, also known as the brain-gut axis, also developed during that time. It is the communication pathway between the gut and the brain. This is where your brain gets the message: Hey! We are running low on fuel, time to eat. Even more intricately, the gut senses and relays specific nutritional needs and actually tells the brain to get foods to fill the need, something we call a craving. Your body is low on a mineral or nutrient, your gut senses that and sends word up top... and you suddenly REALLY want a banana.
The HPA Axis and Vagus Nerve:
But how does THAT happen? Two things you might never had heard of until recently are at work here, trying to keep cells healthy and avoiding shortfalls and overages. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and the vagus nerve regulate communication between the gut and brain. The HPA axis is the link between perceived stress and the physiologic response. This is your fight-or-flight triggering system. The vagus nerve picks up incoming signals and relays them to the brain and the gut simultaneously to help ensure that your body functions harmoniously and responds appropriately to internal and external factors.
The Role of the Microbiome:
When everything is healthy and balanced, the gut has an easy job. It peeks in, makes sure everything is running smoothly, and sends little thumbs-up signs to the brain. The gut garden, or microbiome, is the thing that needs to be balanced and maintained. This vast community of microorganisms residing in your digestive system plays a crucial role in drawing nutrients from food. When it gets out of whack, trouble is brewing. You're going to feel anywhere from a little yucky to downright miserable, with symptoms like gas, bloating, irritated bowel, heartburn, and even unintentional weight gain or loss. So even if you didn't heed the earlier signs that something was off, now you can't miss it.
The Whole Body Approach and Bioindividuality:
One reason we miss the early signals is we don't know what to look for. Why? Because thanks to bio-individuality, we each have unique physiology and responses to foods, stress, and life in general. Which means the signals our bodies send and receive vary among individuals.
Overall wellness and health require a thriving microbiome, a properly functioning HPA axis, and proper communication along the vagus nerve. For that, we need a whole-body approach with an proper nutrition geared to maintaining a healthy gut-brain connection.
How to Utilize the Gut-Brain Connection for Better Health:
To harness the power of the gut-brain connection, you can start by paying attention to how you feel after eating different foods. Listen to your body's signals and your emotions to get to know what works best for you. By observing your mood, energy levels, and well-being after meals, you can identify the foods that nourish your body optimally.
You are unique, and your body's precise needs and likes and dislikes are unique as well. Let's work together to help you figure out how to improve your gut-brain connection and move toward better health and greater vitality.
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