Are you what you eat?
We often hear people mention of butterflies in the stomach or sometimes a pit like sinking feeling, these physical sensations found in one’s belly were what brought researchers to study them, consequentially finding that our brain and gut are connected.
It was found that the connection between the two is infact bidirectional, meaning- that our brain affects our gut health and that our gut health impacts our brain health as well. This relation and communication system between our brain and gut was then termed as the gut-brain axis (GBA). These two organs are connected to each other both physically and biochemically in different ways.
How Are the Gut and Brain Connected?
The Vagus Nerve and the Nervous System
Neurons are cells found in our brain and guide our feelings and behaviour. The human brain consists of approximately 100 billion neurons, while it was found that our gut also contains 500 million neurons, which are connected to the brain through nerves in our nervous system. The connecting nerves that sends signals in both directions is called the vagus nerve.
For example, evidence based studies found people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to have reduced function of the vagus nerve. Thus indicating the significance of vagus nerve and its role in stress.
Interestingly the gut also produces some neurotransmitters, for example- serotonin, commonly known as the happy hormone, or gamma-aminobutyric acid which regulates feelings like anxiety.
The primary work understood of the gut is that of digestion, hence the ability to do so of the microbacteria in the gut as well as the nature of the food that is put in the body makes an impact on both the physical health, as well as the health and activity of the neurotransmitters- consequentially our mental health.
How can we improve our second brain’s health?
Since the gut bacteria impacts our mental health, therefore improving the gut ecology may improve your brain health. This can be done by adding certain ‘good’ bacteria in our diet like-
Probiotics- Some probiotics have been shown to improve symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression.
Prebiotics– fibers that are fermented by gut for better gut health has shown significant impact on reducing the impact and production of cortisol- the ‘stress’ hormone.
Here are some of the most important food groups that facilitate gut health:
- Omega-3 fats: These fats are found in fish, almonds, walnuts, olive oil, etc.
- Fermented foods: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and cheese all contain healthy microbes such as lactic acid bacteria.
- High-fiber foods: Whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables all contain prebiotic fibers that are good for your gut bacteria.
- Polyphenol-rich foods: Cocoa, green tea, olive oil and coffee all contain polyphenols, which are plant chemicals that are digested by your gut bacteria.
- Tryptophan-rich foods: Foods that are high in tryptophan include turkey, eggs and cheese
By altering the types of bacteria in your gut, it may be possible to improve your brain health.
Overall healing includes the physical and the mental self, and both of them are not individual independent units. But interconnected parts of an individual as a whole. Therefore, it is important to cater to the holistic health of the person by catering to both, and nutrition of the body evidently plays a huge role. Consulting a professional to do the same could be beneficial. We at Veda, one of the leading luxury rehabilitation centres in India keep in mind the same.
Our treatment plan incorporates psychological, psychiatric, physical and nutritional needs of a person and the concern is assessed and responded to by a team of experts from all of the mentioned fields, with some of the best psychiatrists, psychologists and nutritionist being on the consulting panel. This multidisciplinary expertise and quality approach, makes Veda Rehabilitation and Wellness Centre as one of the best rehabilitation centres in the country.