By Jackie Dobrinska
If presented with a grilled cheese sandwich, a bowl of mashed potatoes, or a slice of chocolate cake, which would you choose as your favorite comfort food? Chances are, at some point, you’ve reached for a yummy treat to soothe yourself at the end of a rotten day. Plain and simple, food makes us happy.
Yet, in many instances, so can fasting. Give up all sugar, wheat, caffeine, and processed foods for a period of time and, after the first few days of agony, you’re likely to feel calmer, more clearheaded, and vibrant. These seemingly opposite food tactics point to the same thing: that our minds (and our moods) are directly linked to our stomachs.
Ancient health traditions, such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese Medicine, have known this for some time. Recently Western scientists have begun to agree.
Completed in 2003, the Human Genome Project mapped the locations of all the genes of a human, about 20,500 total. Following this project, many of these scientists turned their attention to the contents of the gut. No, not the macro and trace nutrients of our food, but rather the human microbiome—the bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi of the human body. The Human Microbiome Project was launched by the National Institutes of Health in 2007.
It’s a little known fact that ten times as many “nonhuman” cells exist in the body as human cells. About one-tenth of them live in the gastrointestinal tract where they form friendly, symbiotic relationships that are essential for human survival.
The microbiome is a complex ecosystem that directly influences our health. With the presence of specific species in your gut, certain genes will express themselves, such as those for inflammation, obesity, and even autoimmune conditions. Change the microbes and you change your health. But how does this relate to emotions?
The stomach has been called the second brain for decades. They “talk” to one another via the vagus nerve. Until recently, scientists thought that most messages traveled from the brain to the stomach. Turns out, 90 percent of the messages go from the stomach to the brain.
The bacteria in your gut influence these messages. For example, they create more than 80 percent of your serotonin, the “feel good” brain chemical that influences mood and sleep. They also influence brain development, shaping the part responsible for fear, as well as the region essential for memory and learning.
Therefore, in order to be healthy and happy, we need to become good stewards of the ecosystem in our gut. We are like farmers, removing what causes weedy species and restoring the beneficial flora we desire.
To begin “farming” your gut biome, consider removing anything that kills beneficial gut flora. These include artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, chlorinated water, carrageenan (found in many milk-like products), highly processed foods, and, for some people, gluten and industrialized dairy. Also, try to decrease stress, and be mindful of antibiotic use, as they kill bacteria indiscriminately.
Simultaneously, be sure to restore beneficial flora by eating fermented foods (whole, unsweetened kefir and yogurt, raw sauerkraut, and kimchi, for example). Get enough sleep and exercise, and consider eating foods that feed your gut flora, such as Jerusalem artichokes, burdock roots, and roasted chicory. And replenish your gut flora regularly with a high-quality probiotic, found in the refrigerated section of health food stores.
This article contains general information about medical conditions and complementary treatment, and is not to be considered expert advice. Always consult your physician and other qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment, diet, or fitness regimen. Jackie Dobrinska is a wellness coach and owner of A Simple Vibrant Life (asimplevibrantlife.com). You can reach her at jldobrinska@gmail.com, or by phone at 828.337.2737.
