The Gut-Brain Connection: Nutrition and Mental Health


Food has a Direct Effect on our Mental Health

The gut-brain connection is a very real and very active line of communication and analysis in the body.  There are over 100 million neurons in the digestive system that produce as many neurotransmitters as the brain (Holford, 2009, p.16)!  Our brain and gut are in constant communication, which is why foods have a direct effect on our moods and behaviors.

Food allergies are another major indicator of the influence of GI health on mental health.  Anxiety, migraines, behavioral disorders, depression, malaise, fatigue, confusion, frustration, anger, and uneasiness are all common side effects of consuming foods to which you are allergic.

Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can also result from imbalanced brain chemicals. Often the neurotransmitter serotonin is deficient.  Over 90% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the intestines!  Blood sugar imbalances and nutrient deficiencies have all been linked to low mood.

Conditions like schizophrenia and depression are often correlated with nutritional and hormonal imbalances.  These individuals are especially low omega 3 fatty acid levels (either because they eat too many omega-6 or not enough fatty acids, or have a difficult time absorbing and utilizing them.)  Because vitamins are cofactors in the neurobiochemical reactions in the brain, other vitamin deficiencies may decrease the production of hormones, anti-inflammmatory prostaglandins.  Vitamin B6, zinc, niacin, vitamin C can be supplemented to support the conversion of omega-3 fatty acids into anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.  Results include significant improvement in memory and cognitive brain function (Holford, 2009, p 37).  Not only are vitamin levels influential to our mental health, so are stress, toxins, and digestive health. Learn more by watching this video by Cyrex Labs:

Recent research has shown that inflammation is a common denominator in all diseases.  Patrick Holford states “The most common cause of inflammation is faulty digestion, leading to an overload of substances for the liver to detoxify” (2009, p. 220). Our digestive health suffers from high stress levels, lack of chewing food and really experiencing the meal, eating allergenic foods, consuming neurotoxins like food additives and pesticides, and many other facets of daily living.  Headaches, migraines, irritability, anger, frustration, food/drug addictions, fatigue, and malaise are all possible consequences of poor digestive health.

Inflammation, poor digestion: lead to behavioral problems, ADHD… (Schools that implement an organic, whole foods diet into the lunch program see marked improvements in classroom behavior, attention, and participation.”

Faulty digestion can also lead to nutrient deficiencies and conditions related to those deficiencies.  For example, “Impaired mental acuity (or dementia) and depression are the common symptoms of folic acid or B12 deficiency” (Murray, p.224). So a lack of intake of nutrients can cause deficiencies, but even if you are eating enough of a vitamin, you may still experience a deficiency if your intestines are having trouble breaking down, absorbing, or utilizing that nutrient.

Micronutrient testing and stool analysis tests can reveal insight into the health of your brain-gut connection so that you can proceed with an effective healing protocol.  Finding balance both nutritionally and emotionally can be healing and nourishing for your body and your mind.

References

1. Holford, P. (2009). Optimum Nutrition for the Mind. (pp. 16, 37, 220). Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

2. Murray, M. (2000). Total Body Tune Up. (p.224). New York, NY: Bantam Books.

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