It’s not difficult to see that our guts and brains are connected. If you’ve ever had butterflies in your stomach or a gut feeling, you know this to be true.
But just how connected are they? Recent studies suggest that gut-brain communication goes much deeper than the sensations you feel in your belly. Many experts believe the gut and brain to have a symbiotic relationship, meaning that your brain health impacts your gut health, and vice versa.
If you would like to learn more about the gut-brain connection and how you can optimize your health, keep reading for some practical information and advice from
Alexis Silver!
Eat for Focus
Certain foods are great for boosting your
daily energy. Consequently, eating many of these foods can also benefit your gut-to-brain health. For example, consider basing your breakfast around a whole-grain cereal, cottage cheese with fruit, or homemade oatmeal.
For lunch, opt for light meals like low-sodium deli meat and cheese, a vegetable frittata, or mixed greens with a lean protein. You might be surprised by how much energy these types of foods can provide throughout the day, which will ultimately improve your sleep as well.
Look to Probiotic Supplements
Probiotics are the good bacteria in your gut, and you can boost these bacteria by taking probiotic
supplements. There are even studies that show how probiotics prevent inflammation and promote a healthy gut microbiome. You can also increase your probiotic intake by eating
sauerkraut, kimchi, fermented vegetables, and other fermented foods.
Don’t Take Antibiotics Needlessly
Antibiotics can work wonders when it comes to fighting off bacterial infections. But if you take too many antibiotics over time, it can reduce their
effectiveness and lead to various health concerns. Not to mention, antibiotics can damage the gut microbiota and kill off some of the critical bacteria in your gut that help you combat illness. All this to say that you should only take antibiotics when necessary.
Think Prebiotic-Rich Foods
When beneficial bacteria multiply in your gut, it’s a good thing. And the way probiotics accomplish this is by feeding on prebiotics, which are non-digestible carbohydrates. Eating foods rich in prebiotics can strengthen the probiotics in your gut by making them more resistant to temperature and pH changes. Do your belly a favor and incorporate garlic, bananas, and whole grains into your diet.
Moderate Your Sugar Intake
There are a thousand reasons to limit how much sugar you eat and drink (well, maybe not
that many). But one of the best reasons is that too much sugar can knock your gut microbes out of balance, called gut dysbiosis.
If your diet is heavy in sugar and fat, it can negatively impact your gut microbiome and affect your brain. By the way, artificial sweeteners like aspartame can have the same effect and even lead to metabolic disease. Be conscious of your
sugar intake, and allow your palette to adjust to foods and drinks that are less sweet.
Practice Self-Care
Lastly, maintain a self-care routine that will benefit your overall health and well-being. Doing activities that
reduce your stress, getting a good night’s sleep, and exercising can go a long way in boosting your gut-to-brain health and raising your overall quality of life. Even if you’re busy, try to incorporate self-care into your daily routine, and you won’t regret it!
Your gut and brain are intertwined and significantly influence each other. Be conscious of the foods you are eating, look into probiotic supplements, and only take antibiotics when you need them. Also, add prebiotic-rich foods to your diet, consume less sugar, and find ways to practice self-care. Before long, you will notice improvements in your gut-to-brain health, and you will enjoy a higher quality of life.
Would you like to read more helpful content or learn about my therapy services? Visit AlexisSilverTherapy.com today!