The Gut-Brain Axis is one of the least talked about health topics but one of the most crucial relationships in keeping your body-mind health in optimal shape.
Most of us know someone, or maybe it is yourself who’s in really good physical health yet has memory issues, digestive problems, mental health conditions, or just cannot seem to lose weight. Chances are the underlying problem is your gut health.
Compromised gut health can manifest as many different immune and physical challenges because there is a direct connection between the gut and brain/nervous system.
The intestinal wall tissues when inflamed or irritated by a variety of health issues, will not absorb adequate nutrition and will not be able to rid the body of bad bacteria causing an imbalance of the microbiome as well as a lowered digestive response. The gut-brain connection can be easily repaired and improved by eliminating bad foods and introducing good foods.
The microbiome in our gut governs many of our body’s key functions and is crucial to our overall health. A balanced microbiome regulates the immune system, metabolism, sustains the gastrointestinal tract, supports mood and brain function, provides critical vitamins and nutrients, and helps us maintain a healthy weight.
If you want to lose weight, regain overall physical and mental health and begin to feel better, it’s essential that you balance the microbiome in your gut, one of the most effective ways to do that is by eating fermented foods. Some types of fermented foods include:
Sauerkraut – includes bacteria that is crucial in promoting balance within the microbiome. It also includes Vitamin A which helps to heal the gut and offer cardioprotective benefits by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides and reduce platelet stickiness.
Kimchee – one of the healthiest probiotic foods there is, with proven support for weight loss as well. Fermented kimchee has been found to have a significant impact on the weight and body fat of overweight and obese Americans. Kimchee has also been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent constipation, and combat colon cancer. It can also help reduce stress, relieve depression, combat osteoarthritis, and fight liver disease.
Fermented vegetables – these are natural probiotics as well as natural prebiotics.
Kefir – a fermented milk drink resembling a liquid yogurt. Kefir promotes microbial balance, offers incredible support for your immune system, and has traditionally been used to treat tuberculosis and cancer. (Be careful not to purchase Kefir products that have fruits or mixed flavorings already in it as this destroys the live bacteria and adds many grams of sugar. Kefir needs to be plain and unflavored to retain its full health benefits.)
Yogurt – like kefir, yogurt has many health benefits but only when it’s packaged, plain, unflavored, and without fruit (although serving with fresh fruit is fine). The health benefits of yogurt are endless, as are its weight-loss benefits.
These foods are highly recommended for both weight loss and overall improvements of gut-brain health including: depression, anxiety, brain fog, skin problems, hormonal issues, immune weaknesses, digestive problems, and fatigue.
In order to get a clear view of which foods are causing dysfunction to your specific gut-brain needs, it is helpful to seek out a doctor who offers ALCAT testing and Nutrition Response Testing.
For more information on what ALCAT testing is, read more here.
For more information on Nutrition Response Testing, go here.
If you’d like to contact us for more information, or to set up a free consultation for you or someone you believe would benefit from these services, contact us.