Gut Health and Anxiety
Most people don't know this, but scientists now realize that the gut may play a role in everything from depression to anxiety disorders. The gut is becoming an increasingly hot topic in mental health.
So, what does this mean for you? If you're struggling with anxiety, you may want to take a closer look at your gut health. There may be something going on down there contributing to your anxiety symptoms.
What is the gut microbiome?
The microbiome is the collection of microbes that live in and on our bodies. The gut microbiome refers specifically to the microbes - the trillions of them - that live in our intestines.
These microbes (short for microorganisms) are essential for our overall health. They perform various important functions, including helping to digest our food, protecting us from harmful bacteria, and producing vitamins and other compounds that our bodies need.
The microbiome is thought to influence the brain through what is known as the gut-brain axis. Researchers believe the microbiome can communicate with the brain through this pathway, affecting mood and behavior. In other words, your gut bacteria may affect how you think and feel!
The gut-brain connection and how it affects anxiety
There is evidence that the gut microbiome can affect mental health in several ways.
For example, the gut microbiome can regulate and produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which affects mood and anxiety. Did you know that 95% of your body’s serotonin actually comes from the gut?
Additionally, the gut microbiota can interact with the immune system and trigger inflammation.
For instance, a gut exposed to hormones, chemicals, and other toxins (i.e., pesticides, antibiotics, and sugar) can leak bad bacteria into the bloodstream. Although, there are several ways’ inflammation can occur.
But the key takeaway here is that when the balance of bacteria in your gut is disturbed, and the number of harmful bacteria outweighs the good, it can trigger inflammation.
Inflammation is a natural body response to infection or injury. Still, chronic inflammation is linked not only to conditions like heart disease, cancer, and arthritis but also to depression, ADHD, and anxiety.
What else do we know about gut health and anxiety?
You may already know how some of the emotional responses we experience are physical manifestations. For example, when we get anxious, our heart rate increases, and we might start to sweat. But have you wondered why?
We talked about how the brain and gut can communicate, and they do so in both directions. So, just as an anxious mind can talk to your gut, your gut can also signal your brain. This means intestinal distress can be the cause or result of your anxiety.
So while we don't always know which came first, it's helpful to know just how receptive and sensitive your gastrointestinal tract is to emotions and feelings like anxiety!
How to improve your gut health and mental health
The state of our gut health can significantly impact our overall health, including our mental health.
Probiotics
Probiotic supplements are one of the most significant ways to improve both by starting with the gut. Probiotics are live bacteria naturally found in the gut. They are often called 'good' or 'friendly' bacteria because of their benefits to gut health. These friendly bacteria help restore your gut balance, keep the digestive system healthy, and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
I started taking Clear Probiotics daily a few months ago, and I’ve seen such an improvement in my gut health, digestion, and anxiety.
What I really like about this product is that they combine the probiotics with Lion’s Mane mushroom and Ginkgo biloba, both well known for brain and mental health, and the combination has really worked well for me.
It is such an easy and effective step to add to your daily routine. Use promo code SITWITHKELLY for 15% off your order.
Additionally, try to get more fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and tempeh (which contain probiotics) and prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onions, bananas, and asparagus in your diet.
Finally, a diverse diet supplemented by probiotics is one of the best steps to improve your gut and mental health, but it is not the only one.
A well-rounded approach to healing anxiety
The great thing about how interconnected our minds and bodies are is that you can holistically address your physical and mental health. The connection between gut health and anxiety means improving one is likely to improve the other. So if you're struggling with anxiety and think your gut health could use a boost (or rather, a reset), remember that you have the power to change both for the better.
Start by committing to taking *one step* every day to improve your gut health and anxiety. Use promo code SITWITHKELLY for 15% off your Clear Probiotics order!
This blog post is sponsored by Clear Probiotics. Any product recommendations are my personal recommendations. It is outside of my scope of practice to prescribe or recommend any supplements or medications.
Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as legal, financial, or medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional advice of your own attorney, accountant, physician, or financial advisor. Always check with your own physician, attorney, financial advisor, accountant, or other business or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
