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Posted by DocTalbott on December 29, 2017
https://bestfutureyou.com/2017/12/29/amare-global-launch-summit/
Just a few days before Xmas, SHAPE magazine published a nice article on, “The Surprising Way Your Brain and Gut are Connected – can your microbiome affect your risk of mental illness? Experts weigh in.” (Dec 21, 2017 – read the full article here).
I was quoted several times in the article, including these comments:
“The gut-brain axis (GBA) refers to the close link and constant communication between our ‘two brains’: the one that everyone knows about in our head, and the one that we’ve just recently discovered in our gut,” explains Shawn Talbott, Ph.D., a nutritional biochemist. Essentially, the GBA is what links the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) with our “second brain,” which consists of the dense, complex network of nerves around the gastrointestinal tract, known as the enteric nervous system, along with the bacteria living in our GI tract, which is also known as the microbiome.
“The microbiome/ENS/gut communicates with the brain through the ‘axis,’ sending signals through a coordinated network of nerves, neurotransmitters, hormones, and immune system cells,” Talbott explains. In other words, there’s a two-way street between your gut and your brain, and the GBA is how they communicate.
We know that there’s definitely a connection between the brain and the gut. How exactly that connection works is still somewhat of a working theory. “There isn’t really any debate at this point about the existence of a gut-brain axis,” Talbott says, although he does point out that many physicians didn’t learn about it in school because it’s a relatively recent scientific development.
According to Talbott, there are still some important things about the gut-brain axis that scientists are trying to figure out. First, they’re not sure how to measure a “good” vs. “bad” gut microbiome status or how exactly to reestablish balance. “At this point, we think that microbiomes might be as individual as fingerprints, but there are some consistent patterns associated with a ‘good’ versus a ‘bad’ balance,” he says.
Secondly, they’re still figuring out which strains of bacteria (aka pre- and probiotics) are most helpful for which issues. “We know that the benefits of probiotics are very ‘strain dependent.’ Some strains are good for depression (like lactobacillus helveticus R0052); some are good for anxiety (like bifidobacterium longum R0175); and some are good for stress (like lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011), while still others are good for constipation or diarrhea or immune support or reducing inflammation or cholesterol or gas,” Talbott says.
In other words, simply taking probiotics, in general, isn’t likely to be that helpful for mental health. Instead, you’d need to take a targeted one, which your doctor may be able to help you select if they’re up on the most recent research.
Eat more fiber: “It’s the number-one way to improve microbiome balance,” Talbott says. It’s thought that fiber from fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains helps to “feed” the good bacteria and “starve” the bad bacteria, meaning you could get more of the “happy/motivated” signals and fewer of the “inflamed/depressed” signals being sent between your gut and brain, Talbott says.
(Note: Amare’s MentaBiotics product – which I formulated – contains all 3 of the specific “mental wellness” probiotic strains listed above).
Posted by DocTalbott on December 26, 2017
https://bestfutureyou.com/2017/12/26/how-your-gut-determines-your-mood/
On Saturday Dec 30, I’ll be speaking and giving a cooking demo on the topic of “Feeding Your Microbiome” at the Everything Nutrition Expo (aka FitCon) at the SouthTowne Expo Center in Sandy Utah.
It should be an absolutely packed day with classes, seminars, demos, and exhibitors (including Amare, The Mental Wellness Company).
In “Feeding Your Microbiome” – I’ll be talking about the importance of microbiome balance and gut-brain-axis function for optimal mental wellness – and also demonstrating how to make some of my favorite “Microbiome Munchies” that are high in protein, fiber, phytonutrients, and delicious-ness!
My seminar/demo is at 4pm – and the FitCon Expo runs from 10am-6pm.
Posted by DocTalbott on December 20, 2017
https://bestfutureyou.com/2017/12/20/utah-fitness-expo/
This Thursday (Dec 21), Amare will be holding TWO events in the Phoenix area.
9-11am in Phoenix (see invitation below) – come have a cup of coffee with us and hear what Amare is up to and how we’re changing the way the world thinks about (and improves) Mental Wellness.
7pm in Paradise Valley – by invitation only – please email me directly if you’re interested in attending this special event.
We’re also hiking Piestewa “Squaw” Peak on Friday morning (Dec 22 – 8:45am) – see invitation below.
Posted by DocTalbott on December 19, 2017
https://bestfutureyou.com/2017/12/19/amare-in-phoenix/
I know, I know – you probably know plenty of people who you think don’t even have ONE brain, but you REALLY have TWO brains – the “Second Brain” residing in your gut communicates with the “First Brain” in your head to determine many aspects of your Mental Wellness and Physical Health.
Check out a very cool video here
Posted by DocTalbott on December 14, 2017
https://bestfutureyou.com/2017/12/14/you-have-two-brains/
Very interesting article about the importance of microbiome balance for overall metabolism…
Increased weight gain by C-section: Functional significance of the primordial microbiome
http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/10/eaao1874
Epidemiological evidence supports a direct association between early microbiota impact—including C-section—and obesity. We performed antibiotic-free, fostered C-sections and determined the impact on the early microbiota and body weight during development. Mice in the C-section group gained more body mass after weaning, with a stronger phenotype in females. C-section–born mice lacked the dynamic developmental gut microbiota changes observed in control mice. The results demonstrate a causal relationship between C-section and increased body weight, supporting the involvement of maternal vaginal bacteria in normal metabolic development.
Posted by DocTalbott on December 14, 2017
https://bestfutureyou.com/2017/12/14/c-section-associated-with-obesity/