The Brain-Belly Connection: How Belly Health Affects Mental Health

Obviously your brain and belly are connected, but few realize the powerful effect our digestive system and gut health have on our mental health—our mood and memory. Studies prove that too many bad bugs and not enough good bacteria (probiotics), enzymes, and the right acids in our gut and digestive track reduce our brain’s ability to assimilate essential nutrients, thereby contributing to a variety of mental and behavioral disturbances, including depression and memory loss.

Two of these key nutrients are folate from plants and B-12 from meats, milk, and poultry. Individuals with depression or Alzheimer’s are usually deficient in both of these nutrients. In order to break down plants and meat, we need certain enzymes and stomach acids. Most digestive disorders (as well as antacids) reduce these essential acids and enzymes. Most antibiotics and some other medications inhibit the growth of probiotics or good bacteria needed for digestion and assimilation. This is especially true as we age, since age is generally accompanied by a loss of essential bacteria, acids, and enzymes.

Eating food in its natural, unprocessed state is vital to the maintenance of good health. Cooking food for a prolonged period over 118 degrees will destroy many if not most of the enzymes in that food. Our glands and major organs, including the brain, suffer most from this loss. We can get healthier and stop abnormal aging with the following four steps.

First, avoid the overuse of antacids and antibiotics. These destroy the friendly bacteria we need to fight off the bad bugs and reduce the necessary acids we need to digest our food properly. We need to be eating more of the foods our body was designed for, including raw fruits and vegetables, like bananas, apples, pineapple, papaya, mangos, avocados, bell peppers, broccoli, chard, beans, seeds, nuts, and grapes. We also need to take time to chew them well before swallowing. Healthy digestion begins in the mouth.

Second, consider eating more fermented foods. Eat sugar-free yogurt, kefir, fermented soy, and sauerkraut. These natural foods rich in food enzymes and healthy bacteria bolster our immune system and keep us regular.

Third, avoid eating too many refined and enzyme-depleted foods. Heartburn, acid reflux, gas, bloating, and other stomach upsets, are signs that you need to change your diet. Especially avoid excessive alcohol, soft drinks, and other foods devoid of fiber and enzymes and high in sugars and empty carbohydrates. These can cause an overproduction of acid in the stomach.

Fourth, consider taking an enzyme supplement and a probiotic with all cooked food. This may help especially if your digestion is not optimal. When your stomach has the enzymes it needs, it produces less acid. You can purchase these supplements at any health food store and most compounding pharmacies.

Following these 4 simple guidelines for even a month can make a bigger difference than you might imagine. Try it and see.

By David R. Larsen

For more information on this and related topics, visit the author’s website at www.4abettermemory.com. Email him at DavidRJL@aol.com if you have additional questions.