I’m in San Diego to give a few presentations at the Experimental Biology scientific conference, including one on how the Fundamentals Pack improves both “good” bacteria and mood state (depression, anxiety, stress, etc).
This morning, I visited Good Morning San Diego to talk about how the right kinds of fiber can help to modulate the signals coming form the gut (the “2nd brain”) to the first brain (in our head) to help balance food cravings, energy levels, and mood levels.
See the segment HERE
You may have every intention to eat better. But when your stomach starts to growl, all bets are off. You give into your cravings for chips and soda, again! Why is this happening?
What your gut tells your brain – and vice versa – is part of what scientists call the gut/brain axis.
What’s an out of balance gut look like? You may have digestive issues such as bloating, cramping or occasional diarrhea or occasional constipation, causing the wrong signals to be sent to your brain.
There are several things we can do to balance our gut/brain axis so that we feel better physically and emotionally.
1. Bring on the fiber! There are two types of fiber: insoluble and soluble. Insoluble is like nature’s broom. We don’t digest it, and it carries toxins with it as it exits our bodies. Soluble fiber absorbs water and helps to normalize digestion. It can also act as a prebiotic, which means it feeds the good bacteria in our gut. Visuals high fiber foods Nuts seeds and whole grains
2. Add fermented foods to your diet. Kimchee, yogurt, kefir and kombucha all help to maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Visuals Kimchee, yogurt kefir
3. Feed your gut and brain plant-based amino acids. Amino acids are used by the body for many physiological functions. One amino acid found in matcha – called theanine – has been shown to promote relaxation without causing drowsiness, reduce nervous tension, and help prevent the negative side-effects of caffeine. It’s a great brain nutrient.
