Digestion, Inflammation & Mood
Gut-Brain Health
The root of health is absolutely in our digestion. This has been known in traditional medicine for literally thousands of years. Gut health plays centre stage but it’s not just about what we eat. A cascade of reactions begins with our thoughts about our next meal.
Leading research shows a gut-brain axis where an inflammatory response in the GI system will lead to decreased activity in the frontal lobe. Serotonin, dopamine and other important neurotransmitters are produced primarily in a healthy gut lining so where there is infection, allergies or permeability then depression and brain fog occur too.
Inflammation & Immunity
Is it surprising that over 80% of our immunity is housed in the lymphatic tissue of our guts? From the level of the common cold or small wound healing to more complex auto immune disorders it is through optimizing our digestive health that we can protect ourselves. Understanding where to start is key. Opening up the detoxification pathways by simplifying assimilation is a very good start.
Hormonal issues relate with our ability to detoxify. If our gut is inflamed and not eliminating then a lot can go wrong. The cascade of activity that happens beginning in the mouth is incredibly nuanced and if we are stressed when we eat it can all go sideways. Insulin and leptin resistance are connected with high levels of cortisol: the stress hormone. This will interfere with the phase one and two pathways of the liver leading to a build up of hormones.
Resiliency
Our bodies are incredibly resilient. Making a few small changes can create a positive cascade to reverse inflammation, depression and increase immune function. I see this all the time with my patients. Understanding why you don’t feel your best is important. Many people believe they did something wrong and that is why they don’t feel well. This just isn’t the case. You can have an excellent lifestyle and health issues can still arise. What we are good at is adapting. Getting support is a big part of what we can do to restore balance.
Related Posts
