Good Mental health starts in your gut!

Over the last several years, I have been obsessing over the gut-brain connection because it just makes so much sense.  We are lucky to live in a time where there is so much research on this topic.  Everyday we discover more and more about how our brain (and how we feel) is so interconnected with our gut.  Did you know that 90-95% of the complex neurotransmitter serotonin is created in our gut?  Why is this important?  Because serotonin is an important and complex neurotransmitter that controls your mood, sleep, and sexual desire.  Low serotonin levels can contribute to depression and anxiety.  If you are struggling with depression and anxiety, I highly recommend working with a nutritionist and psychotherapist because having these two people on your self-care team can be the key to improving your mental health.  One thing you can immediately start today is to increase foods that boost your serotonin levels like eggs, pineapple, tofu, nuts, and salmon.  Below I will share some amazing resources that I have bumped into: 

• Yuka: This is an amazing FREE mobile application that helps you scan your food and make healthier choices.  I use it every time when I go food shopping to help me make the healthiest choose for my family and I.  see what is a healthier choice between food items.  https://yuka.io/en/ 
• Dr Leslie Korn is a leading expert in integrative medicine.  Her website is packed with amazing gems on improving your mental health holistically with healthy food. https://drlesliekorn.com/books/nutrition-essentials-mental-health/
• Samples  foods to immediately integrate into your diet https://psychcentral.com/health/serotonin-foods#what-to-eat

I promise to periodically come back to this blog post and continue to add resources as they come up.

Reference: 

• Appleton J. The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2018 Aug;17(4):28-32. PMID: 31043907; PMCID: PMC6469458.

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