STRESS, MOOD SWINGS AND YOUR GUT
Updated: May 7, 2020
Our Happy Gut Guide
What does your gut have to do with your mood and stress levels?
Quite a lot, actually. It has a lot to do with cognitive functions as well, like your ability to concentrate.
If your work, school or private life is not particularly overwhelming at the moment, but you are still experiencing stress, anxiety, mood swings, lack of ability to focus… please, keep reading. This piece might be of use for you.
Today we want to tell you about a possible causing factor; your MICROFLORA.
Your microflora should be very important to you, because it can influence your brain chemistry directly. The good news is, that you can directly influence your microflora too! Your microbes make hormone-like proteins, which are called neurotransmitters and they travel through your nervous system. If you don’t have enough of them, your bodies ability to make neurotransmitters drastically reduces.
How do you lose your microflora?
Well, we gathered the 3 common causes:
*antibiotics *artificial sweeteners *GMO.
If you are thinking you haven’t been taking antibiotics for a while now, think again.
Most of the antibiotics are sold as growth agents for farm animals and unless you are consuming organic animal products (meat, eggs and dairy for example) you are consuming plenty of antibiotics indirectly through commercial animal products.
What about artificial sweeteners? Diet sodas, zero calorie drinks, “no sugar” desserts… are all loaded with artificial sweeteners and can negatively affect your microflora down when consumed regularly for a long period of time. Just because it is low sugar, it does not mean it is better. As always, moderation is key.
GMO foods are often affected by herbicides and therefore can easily disrupt your microflora. Some of the foods that are often genetically modified are summer squash, rice, corn, dairy products, soy, fish and meat products. You cannot track what food goes on your plate when you are eating out or ordering, but you can always make sure to read labels carefully and choose non-GMO items.
Now you know what to minimize or avoid in order to keep your microflora producing proteins. Let's look at a few simple things you can do to support the process for a healthier and happier gut.
What can you eat to support your microflora?
We love to use food as medicine whenever we can, so we want to share a few things you can eat to support your microflora for a happier and healthier gut and overall health and well-being.
Probiotics and prebiotics are overlooked magic bacteria, that you can take in a form of pills or food. Supplements are probably the easiest way to go with, but you have to find the right combination and quality for you. For advocates of completely natural supplementation, the best pre and probiotics sources are fermented vegetables. Having a small portion of kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles or other fermented vegetables on a daily basis will cover your probiotics and the prebiotics need.
Lastly we recommend incorporating bone broth to your diet and having it on a regular (even daily) basis. You should definitely try our easy and delicious recipe!
Why is it so good for you?
A good home-made bone broth contains over 19 essential and nonessential amino acids, large amounts of collagen and nutrients that all work together to improve digestive functions, boost your immune system, support skin and brain and joint health. All this goodness also helps restoring the lining of your gut and aids probiotic growth.
Take care of your gut, so it can take care of your health!