The Surprising Impact of Gut Health on Mental Well-being

1. The ABCs of Naturopathic Nutrition Dr. Jordan Atkinson, B.Sc., ND Website: drjordanatkinson.ca

2. The elaborate relationship between the gut and brain is an old idea that has revived remarkably in naturopathic medicine. This link is crucial for emotional health and managing anger. According to naturopathy, it plays a significant role in how we feel and perceive a situation. It goes beyond simple food breakdown as naturopathy perceives the gut as a second brain that stores an intricate neural system and neurotransmitters which interact in both ways with central nervous systems. This complex system called the gut-brain axis, not only controls digestion but also regulates emotional reactions.

3. Studies Unveil Key Links on Gut Microbiome’s Emotional Impact Studies have unravelled the striking influence of the gut microbiome on emotion. Mayo Clinic dives into this, explaining the complex relationship between gut bacteria and numerous health conditions – including mental ones1. Various studies have shown that low levels of certain gut bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii are associated with high anger and hostility among people. Some studies point out particular bacterial strains, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, with better emotional control and stress tolerance2.

4. Achieving Emotional Harmony with a Probiotic-Rich Diet Dysbiosis, i.e., the immune dysregulation caused by an imbalanced gut microbiome, causes numerous diseases, such as mood disorders and heightened anger. Naturopathy encourages healthy nutritional practices for an excellent brain-gut link. Apart from yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchi, adding kefir, miso, and pickles, does replete the microbiota, which impacts in a positive way on the gut-brain axis. Probiotics, or “friendly” bacteria, promote a bi-directional exchange between the gut and brain. These microbes produce neurotransmitters and short-chain fatty acids as gut-brain axis messengers. Also, serotonin, which is essential for mood regulation, sees significant production in the gut. A homeostatic microbiome provides enough neurotransmitter production, leading to the development of beneficial emotional responses. Adopting a diet full of probiotic foods strengthens your gut with the right bacteria that ensure optimal resistance to stress and balanced emotions.

5. How Dietary Fibers Boost Mental Health Besides the microbiota, naturopathy highlights how important high- fiber foods are for digestion. Research shows that dietary fibres stimulate the development of favourable bacteria, thereby improving mental health and reducing stress levels. It also suggests that higher fibre consumption is linked to lower chances for depression and anxiety3. A high-fibre diet significantly improves mood and cognitive function among older people, according to American Journal of Medicine4.

6. Deep Breathing, Meditation, and Yoga in Naturopathic Stress Management Naturopathic treatments are also helpful for stress management. Acute stress dramatically affects the gut-brain axis through inflammation and disruptions in the gut microbiota. Methods like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and mindfulness are suggested to deal with stress and prevent an imbalanced gut. Naturopathy also focuses on detecting and treating food sensitivities or allergies that may lead to gut inflammation. The elimination of trigger foods and the introduction of an anti-inflammatory diet are essential for digestive health and avoiding emotional disorders like anger. Finally, recognizing the critical link between the gut and brain is essential as it demonstrates how much a digestive health system affects one’s emotional well-being. Book your consultation on a naturopathic diet for anger management with Dr. Jordan Atkinson, B.Sc., ND and start your holistic route toward being healthy today!

7. Citations: 1.https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/dairy-health/prebiotics- probiotics-and-the-microbes-in-your-gut-key-to-your-digestive- health/ 2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6346636/ 3.https://zoe.com/learn/dietary-fiber-benefit-mental-health 4.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000293432 2002583 Read Blog Here: https://drjordanatkinson.ca/the-surprising- impact-of-gut-health-on-mental-well-being/