Gut health is essential for overall well-being. A healthy and properly functioning gut is crucial for numerous processes in our body.
The Gut-Brain Connection:
Dr. Dimple Jangda, an Ayurveda and gut health coach, explained why the gut is often called the “second brain.” In a video shared on Instagram, she noted that an unhealthy gut is responsible for 90 percent of the diseases we may have, including clinical depression and cancer. “There are more neurons in the gut wall than in the brain. That’s why the gut is called the second brain. Your intuition comes from the gut,” she added.
Gut and Mental Health:
Dr. Jangda emphasized the connection between gut health and mental health, stating that “the gut is where emotions and memories are created and stored. When you feel anxious, scared, excited, happy or nervous, you first feel it in your gut. 75% of the serotonin produced is released in the gut. At any given time, a healthy adult has 1 kg of bacteria in their gut, which has a direct impact on our mental state.”
The Impact of the Gut on Health:
In addition to influencing mental health, the gut also affects skin, hair, gynecological health, gastrointestinal health, musculoskeletal health, and bronchial health. Dr. Jangda added, “Your gut is the central organ, the fuel tank of your body, on which all other organs depend for the supply of life-sustaining nutrients.”
Conclusion:
It is essential to focus on gut health to promote better mental health. Garima Goyal, a registered dietitian, also emphasized the importance of focusing on gut health. She explained that “the microbes in the gut produce a lot of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that affect brain function in various ways and play an important role in suppressing appetite. By improving gut health, it is possible to improve brain health and vice versa.
