Could Leaky Gut lead to a Leaky Brain?

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“I just feel it in my gut.”

Even though gut feeling used to be a metaphor, it turns out your gut and your brain is linked for real. Studies show that your brain impacts your gut health, and your gut, although it may come as a surprise, can affect your brain health. Leaky gut is getting more attention as it slowly seeps into other vital parts of our body and affects our health in many ways. Learn more about the connection between leaky gut and a leaky brain

We are all familiar with that foggy brain when we have a stomach bug. But the relation between your tummy and your head is much more robust — linked by the gut-brain axis. You don’t think of your gut as an intelligent organ, but it really is. It’s the epicentre for a whole world of gut microbiome life, which is doing much more than just digesting food.

Your gut health could be affecting your brain function?

What is Gut-Brain Axis?

Your gut is the central hub of your nervous system, housing millions of neurons that talk to other bodily systems through chemicals called “neurotransmitters.” This is referred to as the gut-brain axis (GBA), which is a bidirectional link between the enteric nervous system (ENS) and the central nervous system (CNS) of your body. In simpler words, the gut-brain axis is the channel your brain and your gut use to talk to each other.

But why is it important? Because the gut and the brain are in constant communication, meaning if the brain isn’t happy, the gut isn’t happy and vice-versa. The vagus nerve connects the stomach to the brain. If the nerve isn’t functioning correctly, you can experience:

  • gas
  • bloating
  • reflux
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • gallstones
  • indigestion
  • and more

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and the Gut-Brain Axis

One of the links between your gut and brain is the microbes living in your digestive tract that make chemicals that affect your brain functions. Gut microbes also metabolize amino acids and bile acids to produce other chemicals that impact the brain. The constant wave of chatter is critical to your wellbeing, especially when it comes to digesting food and absorbing nutrients.

Probiotics comprise of trillions of living organisms in your gut. However, not all probiotics affect your brain in the same way. The ones that directly connect to the brain functions are referred to as “psychobiotics” and can improve anxiety, stress, and depression symptoms. Studies also found probiotics improved the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

But how do prebiotics help?

Prebiotics are fibres that the human body cannot digest. They fuel and nourish the micro-organisms living in the gut. Without sufficient prebiotic fibre in your diet, your gut microbes cannot survive — leading to severe digestive issues that ultimately links to poor gut and brain health.

happiGut for a Healthier Brain

The daily recommended fibre intake is 25-30g of soluble and insoluble fibre, of which 3-5g should be prebiotic fibres. However, most of us do not meet our daily fibre requirements due to the lack of whole food in our diet and unhealthy lifestyle. Fibre deficiency disrupts the growth of healthy bacteria in our gut, ultimately leading to a compromised gut-brain axis. And this is where introducing a complete prebiotic fibre supplement can help.

Our happiGut whole food prebiotic fibre is a perfectly balanced combination of soluble and insoluble fibres. It improves gut health and helps to get closer to your daily fibre requirements while improving microbiome diversity. The naturally-derived fibre supplement delivers the fibre equivalent of 2 servings (166 g) of fruits and vegetables without the sugar. It can significantly improve your gut-brain axis by supporting the growth of healthy bacteria in your digestive system.

Your gut is one of your most powerful allies, helping keep everything in balance and expressing your health goals. The proven link between your gut and brain is the wake-up call for you to start taking your digestive health more seriously. Keep your gut in check for a healthier, happier life, and it begins with providing your body with all the right nourishment.