Fiber for Brain Fuel
We all know that fiber is important for the digestive system, but there is a lot of new research showing how important it is for our mental health and brain function. The foods that we fuel our body with have an impact on all body systems, including our emotions and moods. Our digestive system is our second brain, with a direct nerve connection running to and from the brain. There are many studies that are confirming the connection between the gut microbiome, and an individual's state of mind.
The connection between digestion, health, mood, and our emotions is from the Enteric Nervous System, a system of 100+ million nerve cells. Jay Pasricha, MD, director of John Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology describes “the enteric nervous system doesn’t seem capable of thought as we know it, but it communicates back and forth with our big brain – with profound results.” This part of the nervous system runs between the digestive system and brain, when one is unhappy, it signals distress to the other. This explains why we can feel our emotions as tightness (including in the pelvic floor muscles), butterflies, or instinct in our gut. There is a connection between our moods or mental state, such as anxiety or depression, and digestive issues, and vice versa.
One perfect example of this is how the connection between constipation, diarrhea, bloating, pain, or upset stomach can contribute to mood changes like depression and anxiety. Along with the two-way nerve connection that joins the gut and the brain, the bacterium in the gut also help to produce neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) such as dopamine, GABA, norepinephrine, and about 90% of our happy hormone, serotonin. Without the right bacteria balance, our mood will be impacted. The bacteria in the gut can also travel from the gut, into the bloodstream, and right into the brain. When we are fueling our bodies, we are also fueling our minds and emotions as well.
Keeping our digestive system healthy is a central part of keeping our whole body healthy. Our digestive system plays a key component in our immune health as well, with 70% of the immune system cells being in the gut microbiome. With the gut being a central component to the body’s ecosystem, it is important to fuel it with fiber! Fiber comes from plant foods – think fruits, veggies, grains, seeds, nuts, beans, and legumes. Anything that grows from the earth contains fiber. A diversity in plant foods helps to fuel the healthy gut bacteria to support a healthy body, and mind.
Remembering that constipation and stress both have a direct impact on our pelvic floor health. We’ve talked about how the straining and pressure from being backed up can cause weakened pelvic floor muscles contributing to urinary incontinence. In our next series of lives and discussions Elle and Alison are going to keep looking at how stress and the nervous system can make our pee leaks worsen and reduce bladder control!
And part 2 of our Menopause series is also coming up!
