Actually yes! Did you know that your brain’s health is dictated by what goes on in your gut?
For REAL! A healthy brain is the result of a healthy gut!
Think of it this way… If a tree has an unhealthy root system and trunk, one can almost guarantee that the branches and the leaves will be unhealthy too.
According to the incredible David Perlmutter, M.D. :
“The vagus nerve, the longest of 12 cranial nerves, is the primary channel between millions of nerve cells in our intestinal nervous system and our central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord. The vagus extends from the brainstem to the abdomen, directing many bodily processes that don’t require thought, like heart rate and digestion.
At the same time, the bacteria in the gut directly affect the function of the cells along the vagus nerve. And some of the gut’s nerve cells and microbes release neurotransmitters that speak to the brain in its own language.
The neurons in the gut are so innumerable that many scientists are now calling them the “second brain.” This second brain not only regulates muscle function, immune cells, and hormones, but also manufactures an estimated 80 to 90 percent of serotonin (the “feel-good” neurotransmitter). This means the gut’s brain makes more serotonin — the master happiness molecule — than the brain in your head…
Perhaps the most significant factor related to the health of the microbiome — and thus, the brain — is the food we eat. It is also the greatest challenge to the microbiome and brain… the two key mechanisms that lead to brain degeneration are chronic inflammation and the action of free radicals, which are byproducts of inflammation that cause the body to “rust.”
You can change the state of your microbiome — and the fate of your health — through dietary changes, opening the door for better health in general, and improved brain function in particular.”
I mean, I can’t even begin to tell you how fascinating I think this is! (Just me? That’s okay! *wink wink*)
As someone who has experienced firsthand the positive results of changing my microbiome, I fully support this approach and am committed to helping YOU get your microbiome healthy and functioning at its best.
Check back tomorrow for more on this goodness!
