By Gabrielle Hall eatyourearthtones.com
Do you experience any of the following?
⌇Anxiety
⌇Brain fog, trouble focusing
⌇Depression
⌇Stress
⌇Tension + migraines
⌇Stubborn extra weight
⌇Indigestion
⌇Inflammation
If so, there’s a likely chance that your essential communication pathway between your brain and body is blocked!
This essential pathway is called the gut-brain axis, and it is the missing link to an overall liberation of stress and chronic inflammation.
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a network of neurons that cover the whole gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These neurons communicate to the emotional-cognitive centers of the brain via the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve is the longest and most complex cranial nerve in your body that’s made up of thousands of sensory nerve endings. This nerve travels between your brain and almost every organ in your body and allows for vital back-and-forth communication.
Given the importance of this bi-directional communication, the gut is recognized as the SECOND BRAIN because the microbial composition can alter the signals sent through this channel.
It increasingly clear that our gut microbiome, the collection of bacteria in the GI tract, plays a crucial role in our health. A healthy gut regulates metabolism and immune function, contributing to homeostasis. When we view our gut microbiota as flora, like a rainforest, we can envision the ecosystems that live within us.
Dysbiosis describes a state outside of homeostasis, an ecosystem that has been pushed beyond an ideal balance. It is an imbalance of this ecosystem that creates a chronic domino effect of digestive burden, hormonal imbalance, and intestinal permeability. Dysbiosis in the gut triggers an inflammatory immune response throughout the individual, which then affects the brain.
Making dietary and lifestyle changes create a stronger gut-brain axis that allows us autonomy over our health and our mind-body connection. Isn’t that unbelievable?
Simple solutions make profound impacts, just try your best.
So show your gut some love, and witness how you not only feel alive but think abundantly.