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THE GUT BRAIN CONNECTION

Gut wrench or butterflies in your stomach just before delivering a presentation, sound familiar? You may not think about it daily, but your gut and brain are inevitably connected. When you want to keep your brain healthy and happy, the first step starts with your intestines. This has become extremely clear in the past few years and teaches us that an "unhealthy gut" contributes to an "unhealthy brain". below you can read all about how this connection works and what it means for you.

VAGUS NERVE
There is clear evidence that there is a connection between the gut and the brain through the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve which travels its way from the intestines through the diaphragm, up the esophagus between the lungs and heart and through the throat to the brain. In this way, the intestines remain in constant conversation with the brain and therefore it’s also becoming clearer how food can influence our brain function for example. Although the brain is a very small organ, it is one of the largest consumers of your nutrients.

MENTAL HEALTH
Your mental health can be widely affected by your gut. It therefore also applies the other way around and it appears that the bowel function is partly influenced by the brain. According to Prof. Dr. Brummer, gastroenterologist, the intestines and the brain have a lot to do with each other and therefore calls this the “brain-gut axis”. For example, the intestines produce 95% of the body's serotonin, there is a direct link between stress and bowel function, and as many as 35% of people with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. The functioning of the intestine can therefore not be separated from the brain function.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? SMALL STEPS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE...
When you have a disturbed intestinal flora due to, for example, the use of antibiotics, the pill, stress, nutrition or another cause, there are fortunately also things you can do yourself to restore them. With the help of anti-inflammatory food, probiotics or supplements you can restore your intestinal flora. A good night's sleep also helps with this. link to nourish ?

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BRAIN POWER: ASHWAGANDHA 

Supplements can be the best alternative to make up for potential deficiencies. As described in "the gut brain connection", your digestive system is in close contact with your brain. Brainfood is therefore a prerequisite for better mental health and happiness. It is the medicine for your brain. However, this varies greatly from person to person on what exactly you need, so consult a doctor before starting with any supplements. You may already be familiar with the positive brain effects of the supplements as omega 3, magnesium and vitamin b12, as discussed in our MOVE PILLAR (link) but there is a less-known player in the field that we would like to discuss: Ashwagandha.

THE FLAGSHIP OF AYURVEDA
Ashwagandha is the flagship of Ayurveda, India’s traditional herbalism, and means: ‘The science of longevity’. Doesn’t sound bad right? In this traditional Middle East medicine, the root has been already used for centuries as a mind-rejuvenating herb. There is some evidence that it works with the higher brain function and that it promotes a youthful state of mental and physical health.

MENTAL BALANCE
Some studies show that Ashwagandha can have neuroprotective effects. It is seen that people who use the herb experience a calming effect on anxiety symptoms and stress. The Ayurvedic power has a supporting role for your hormone balance. As a result, the adaptogen makes your body more resistant to stressful events.

CONCENTRATION & MEMORY
The herb can contribute to improving concentration and memory and all aspects of cognitive functioning. However, it is still unclear whether Ashwagandha can contribute to the prevention of brain cognitive decline, dementia or other neurological disorders. Research is increasingly concerned with its long-term effects, so it will be a matter of time before we know more about how beneficial Ashwagandha is for our brain.

IS IT SAFE AND HOW TO TAKE ASHWAGANDHA?
The research is promising but scientists are still busy with collecting more proof. It is generally considered as safe when used properly. By now there is no standard dosage yet. Therefore, discuss with your health consultant the dosage what would work best for you. You can take Ashwagandha orally in capsules, powder, or liquid extract. Want to learn more? Click here.

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