By Sofia Potente
If you’re feeling low or anxious right now, no doubt the craziness in the world right now is a big factor.
But did you know that a hidden cause may be lying inside your gut microbiome?
If you struggle with low moods or anxiousness, here’s an important fact: Studies show a strong link between anxiety, depression and gut health.
The good news is it’s totally possible to boost those calm and happy bugs!
Recently in my Facebook group I went live about how gut health affects your mood, and vice versa.
The good news it it’s totally possible to boost those calm and happy bugs!
Here are the top 3 takeaways.
1. Strengthen your gut-brain connection
Our gut and brain talk to each other! They are connected via the vagus nerve – a communication pathway that sends messages between the gut and brain.
If this connection isn’t strong, it affects the movement of food through our digestive tract and release of digestive enzymes and acids.
It also affects our appetite and the signals that tell us when we’re full.
2. Your gut bacteria holds to the key to your moods
Our gut is our ‘second brain’- we literally have over 100 million neurons (brain cells) in our gut!
Over 80% of our feel-good, ‘happy brain’ chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin, dopamine and the anti-anxiety neurotransmitter GABA are produced by the bacteria in our gut.
This means if our gut isn’t healthy, it will affect our mood, how we feel and respond to stress, and our ability to focus and concentrate.
