Boosting your Psychobiome

By MAIREAD O’KEEFFE New Leaf Health Store

The gut, technically, is the pathway from your mouth to your rear. A healthy gut is made up of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other single-celled organisms. The mix of these microbes and their effect on how people think, feel, and act is referred to as the ‘psychobiome’. The healthier your gut the better your brain health; the more positive and energised you will feel.

Your gut and brain are connected by the vagus nerve, which enables you to breathe, digest food, and swallow automatically. The vagus nerve is essentially the ‘bridge’ between the brain and the gut, facilitating two way communication. Research shows that 80% of that communication is travelling to the brain from the body. Healthy gut bacteria help to create signalling molecules and keep inflammation at bay. Bacteria are also capable of creating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.

For a healthy gut focus on your foods - a diet rich in fibre, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables will ensure that you have a good balance of beneficial bacteria. If you have too much refined sugar, processed meats and alcohol your gut will be home to less beneficial bacteria. If your gut flora is not balanced, opportunistic microbes and pathogens can take over resulting in inflammation which is associated with depression and stress.

You can boost your gut health by taking a good probiotic such as Udo’s 8s, they are an excellent product to restore gut health after a course of antibiotics or when you feel run down. A prebiotic is also helpful. Prebiotics are special plant fibers that help healthy bacteria grow in your gut. This makes your digestive system work better. Terranova does an excellent everyday probiotic complex with prebiotics.

70% of your immune system is situated in your gut and by paying attention to your gut health you feel better in yourself, happier and more positive and you will not be so prone to illness. A well balanced gut can help balance female hormones including the thyroid and boost fertility. Probiotics can also improve acne and help resolve and prevent vaginal and urinary tract infections.

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