Optimizing Your Gut-Brain Connection: The Relationship Between Gut Hea – Moogi

Optimizing Your Gut-Brain Connection: The Relationship Between Gut Health and Mood

When most of us think about our gut, things like food and digestion come to mind. While these are all undoubtedly related, the health of our gut impacts numerous other processes and systems within our bodies. One such system is our brain, meaning that our digestion can actually affect how we think and feel. This article will explore the gut-brain connection and how to support your mood through gut health.

Understanding gut health

Our gut microbiomes are one of the most significant factors contributing to gut health. Our microbiome represents an ecosystem of trillions of tiny organisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. We typically think negatively of these organisms, but some of them are critical to maintaining our gut's overall health and function.

Humans have what is known as a symbiotic relationship with our gut microorganisms, meaning both we and these bugs mutually benefit from one another. Our bodies provide them with an environment to live and grow, and in turn, they can support our overall health and wellness. A diverse and thriving gut microbiome supports several bodily functions, including the digestive, immune, nervous, and endocrine systems (1).

The Gut-Brain Axis

When we think of our gut, typically, digestion comes to mind. However, the overall health of our gut extends far beyond that. It can influence several other parts of the body, including our brain. Scientists refer to this link as the gut-brain connection.

Contained within our gastrointestinal tract is something known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). Think of this system as a "mini-brain" in your gut. In the ENS, we have more than 100 million nerve cells that line the entirety of your digestive system. Thus, if something isn't working right in the gut, it can manifest in our nervous system.

Experts have postulated for decades that anxiety and depression may influence our susceptibility to things like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and stomach upset. However, our newer understanding of the ENS indicates that perhaps it is the reverse. Abnormalities in the gut can impact the central nervous system (CNS), thus contributing to our mood (2).

How can I support my gut health to improve my mood?

If you struggle with mood disorders like anxiety or depression, you may want to look into what could be going on deep down in your gut. It's possible that supporting the health of your digestive tract could translate to improvements in your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. But how can we improve our gut health?

Proper nutrition

Nutrition is one of the best ways to fuel your microbiome in a positive way. To do so, you should incorporate the following principles for a nutritious, well-rounded diet:

Add in high-fiber foods like fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds, bread, and cereals
Ensure you consume a variety of foods to get all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients into your diet
Drink plenty of water to support food breakdown and healthy stools
Eat fermented foods like yogurt, kombucha, kefir, tempeh, sauerkraut, and kimchi
Chew your food slowly and thoroughly
Avoid overly processed foods with salt, sugar, and unhealthy additives and fats
Intake polyphenol-rich foods like nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables, tea, and coffee (3)

In addition to supporting your gut through typical nutrition, you can incorporate "superfoods" known to significantly impact digestion. One such ingredient is bovine colostrum, which contains numerous antibodies and essential nutrients, including immunoglobulins (IgG), growth factors, and lactoferrin. Together, these components decrease inflammation, support the integrity of the gut lining, and enhance nutrient absorption in the digestive tract.

Taking a probiotic

Incorporating a probiotic is another valuable tool for improving gut health and mood. Probiotics are living microorganisms that, when ingested, positively contribute to your microbiome. Immense data supports their use for treating GI-related conditions such as diarrhea, constipation, IBS, irritable bowel disease (IBD), and more.

There are several strains of probiotics, but what are the best probiotic strains for mood? One probiotic, probiotic DE111 (Bacillus subtilis), may be beneficial. It can withstand the stomach's acidic environment while promoting healthy gut flora, producing digestive enzymes, and easing digestion.

Synergistic approach: Bovine colostrum and DE111 probiotic

If you want to elevate your mood by supporting your gut, consider the Moogi Colostrum + DE111 probiotic. Combining bovine colostrum with DE11 creates a synergistic relationship, meaning the two ingredients enhance each other's effects. Colostrum works to maintain the gut lining, while the probiotic supports the growth and development of a healthy microflora.

Conclusion

In summary, by improving the wellness of your gut, your nervous system benefits as a result. Thus, you may be able to mitigate mood problems such as depression and anxiety with proper nutrition and supplementation that support your microbiome. Try Moogi Colostrum + DE111 probiotic to jumpstart your gut health and improve mood.