Most of us are familiar with the idea of ‘getting our brain in gear.’ So much so, in fact, that it’s probably something we do on an almost daily basis, if not several times a day.
Whether by self-talk, eating, drinking, or a combination of all three, the outcome is that we generally feel more focused, motivated and ready to face the day, or the task at hand.
What we tend to be less aware of the need for, however, is how to get our 'second brain' into gear. That is, the one located in our digestive systems.
Second brain?
It’s a little known fact that the digestive system has its own system of nerves, pathways and hormones which lends it an ability to influence and react to our thoughts and emotions.
If we are angry, anxious, sad or happy, the gut will know about it. This connection goes both ways, as a ‘happy’ or under-par intestine can translate into a myriad of seemingly unrelated symptoms such as headaches and anxiety, to name but a few.
This intimate connection is partly owed to the trillions of bacteria that reside in our gut, playing a role in producing upwards of 95 percent of our body’s serotonin, the neurotransmitter that influences mood and sleep.
Pretty amazing huh? This in mind, it makes sense to do all we can to listen to the nutritional needs of our digestive microbiome (our gut brain), just as we do our actual brains!
First and foremost, the gut microbiome need feeding with the right foods to help the good bacteria thrive and multiply! Fermented foods such as kefir, yoghurt and sauerkraut are a big part of the picture, since they act as fodder for the friendly bacteria that facilitate digestive balance, with potentially positive knock on effects on mental well-being.
In addition to diet, there is evidence that taking a probiotic supplement can help to maintain digestive welbeing.
VSL#3 is a very high concentration poly-biotic, with 450 billion bacteria in every sachet. These bacteria come from not one, but eight different bacterial strains, making it a combination poly-biotic with the highest volume of bacteria per dose amongst the leading brands, according to scientific research.
For more details on VSL#3 and to order online click here.
Sponsored by VSL#3