IT is now estimated that one in every two people will experience mental health problems at some point in their life.
Have you ever considered that your mental health, could be directly related to the health of your gut?
In my work as a nutritionist many people have come to me for help with digestive issues, most commonly, irritable bowel syndrome. Over the years I noticed a high percentage of these people also had some issues with their mental health, usually anxiety and/or depression.
It was interesting to observe that as my clients’ digestion improved, so too did their mental health symptoms, usually at a similar rate and to a similar extent.
This implied to me that the two were intimately connected and so began my fascination with the gut-brain connection. Over time, I developed a three-pronged approach to treating my clients’ digestive and emotional health:
1: Dietary changes. One of the best ways to achieve equilibrium of both body and mind is to eat a healthy diet full of nutrient-dense foods. I’ve observed that people with gut and brain symptoms don’t always react well to refined sugar, grains, processed foods, dairy products and alcohol. I encourage my clients to remove these food types from their diet, where possible, until their gut repairs and resumes normal function, and move to a diet focussed primarily on pasture-raised meats, wild caught fish, organic eggs, vegetables, salad and low sugar fruits.
2: Lifestyle changes. Lifestyle factors such as stress and a lack of self-care can also cause digestive and emotional problems. Simple lifestyle changes to induce relaxation and manage stress can have huge health benefits. I ask my clients to schedule daily relaxation time. A walk in nature, a warm bath and meditating are all valuable because they give your body and mind time to relax.
3: Nutritional supplements. Supplements are just what their name suggests – they supplement a healthful diet by aiding digestion, healing the gut and correcting deficiencies. Anyone with poor digestion is unlikely to be absorbing all the vitamins and minerals they need from their food. Even mild deficiencies can have a profoundly negative effect on physical and emotional health, so I believe supplements are an essential part of recovery.
A supplement programme is unique to the individual. Basic tests and/or an in-depth symptom analysis can identify any deficiencies, and these can be corrected through targeted supplementation.
We tend to believe that mental health problems are directly related to the mind but there’s a growing body of evidence that suggests some mental health symptoms are related to gut health.
This explains why some of my clients felt little or no improvement when prescribed anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication, because this wasn’t addressing the root cause of their condition.
I feel it’s important to distinguish between mental health symptoms that are a response to stress, grief or trauma and those that stem from a physical cause, such as gut dysbiosis and its far-reaching effects.
This is what prompted me to write my book, Heal Your Gut Heal Your Mind. Backed by scientific studies and real-life success stories it contains an achievable three-point plan to help you regain control of your physical and emotional health. Available to buy now from various retailers.
Joanne Mordue is a qualified nutritionist with 15 years’ experience helping people achieve holistic wellness. She lives and works in York. Find out more at: www.joannemordue.com
