Simple carbohydrates. Processed foods. Low fiber. Drive-through meals. Modern diets are hard on our digestion. In fact, we might say that they are destroying our digestive systems!
Why does that matter?
Part of the enteric nervous system, scientists are discovering more and more evidence to show that what happens in your gut dramatically affects your brain. According to an article by Johns Hopkins Medicine, “ Researchers are finding evidence that irritation in the gastrointestinal system may send signals to the central nervous system (CNS) that trigger mood changes.”
Some of the symptoms of compromised gut health include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Brain fog
- Intestinal gas
- Constipation
- Diarrea
- Bad breath
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Menstrual problems
- Allergies
- Autoimmune disorders
And much more.
So What Can You Do To Regain Your Digestive Health?
While there are lots of things you can do to adjust your diet such as eating more whole grains, avoiding gluten and processed foods, and moving toward a plant-based diet, here are a few easy things you can add to your diet now.These foods are easy to get and easy to eat.
- Probiotic Foods – adding yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and other probiotic foods and beverages help restore the good bacteria that you need for ideal digestive health. They can also help with skin conditions and boosting your immune system, and even improving your oral health.
- Apple cider vinegar – This prebiotic food (food for good bacteria) helps balance your gut bacteria and fight heartburn. Try taking a teaspoon in water every morning!
- Peppermint – A powerful herbal support, peppermint calms digestive spasms and helps soothe irritable bowel symptoms. It tastes great and is easy to consume as a tea or tincture. Even a natural peppermint lozenge sweetened with xylitol can help.
- Aloe Vera – You know what aloe does for irritated skin. Well, it can do the same for your stomach! But Aloe will not only soothe and relax, it can also cleanse your GI tract and stimulate digestive enzymes.
- Ginger – This anti inflammatory and antioxidant spice, is most famous as a digestive aid, anti-gas and nausea remedy. It can also soothe irritable bowel syndrome.
- Papaya – The protein digesting enzymes papain and chymopapain in papaya help lower inflammation. The fiber also helps bind to toxins and flush the out of your system.
Read more about the brain-gut connection here: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/healthy_body/the-brain-gut-connection
Listen to this TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/heribert_watzke_the_brain_in_your_gut
And call our Wilmington dental office at 302-239-1641, All About Smiles, to learn more about the foods that can help you get your guts back to health.
Dr. Lewis Yu, who graduated with a dental degree, completed a two-year postgraduate oral surgery training in New York City and Pennsylvania. Board-certified in Naturopathic Medicine and Integrated Biological Dental Medicine, he practiced in Philadelphia and New Jersey before joining All About Smiles. Dr. Yu is affiliated with the Holistic Dental Association and Talkinternational.com.
Read The Full Bio
