Yeah, you read it right!

You have 2 brains.

So do I, and every other person on this planet.

Wait!
Before you go ahead and label me crazy, think ‘gut feeling’ or ‘intuition’.

Think about the nausea you might get before presenting to a house full of colleagues at the next office seminar.

Or how about the butterflies in your stomach, at the thought of going on a blind date?

Oh, and what about the diarrhea you may have when stressed about an upcoming deadline or exam?

So what I am saying is, the gut is your second brain!

Fact-
It has its own nervous system called the Enteric Nervous System which can operate without any input whatsoever from the brain.

The gut- brain connection is pretty important because of the ongoing exchange of information between the two.

The gut is not just concerned with digesting the foods that you eat.
It’s also a key player in regulating inflammation and immunity among other things.

More than 70% of our immunity lies in the gut!

So the obvious question is, how is your second brain working?

Is it strong and sturdy or weak and compromised?
Let’s look at some signs of a compromised digestive system:

– Lack of energy
– Heart burn, gas, bloating
– Diarrhea/ constipation
– Leaky gut leading to IBS, IBD, Crohn’s
– Food sensitivities/ allergies
– Chronic body aches and pains
– Inflammation
– Vit B/ Calcium/ Iron or other micronutrient deficiencies
– Lack of sleep
– Skin troubles, like eczema, psoriasis or dryness
– Mental issues like anxiety, ADHD or even depression
I can bet you never thought that some of the symptoms mentioned above could have anything to do with a weak digestive system! Am I right?

But hopefully now you can appreciate how important gut health is for your overall well-being.

So what does a healthy gut looks like?

Having a strong digestive system means that you:

1. Enjoy eating a wide variety of foods without issues like food sensitivities or intolerances.

2. Digest the foods you eat quickly without causing abdominal cramps, heart burn, gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation.

3. Have loads of energy because you are able to absorb the micronutrients AKA minerals and vitamins from the foods you eat. And a glowing, clear skin is just a nice side effect!

4. Have regular bowel movements daily which are well formed and without traces of undigested food particles.

5. Sleep well through the night, instead of tossing and turning or counting the sheep.
Serotonin, which is the precursor to melatonin, is produced in the gut. It is the melatonin which regulates the sleep cycle and helps you get those precious z’s at night.

6. Serotonin is also the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter, and lack of serotonin may cause anxiety, depression or other mental health issues.

7. Have a healthy variety of good/ beneficial gut bacteria, also commonly known as probiotics/ friendly bugs.
Diversity in the gut bacteria is super important, and it differs from person to person. The diversity depends of the foods we eat, the bacteria on our skin and our environment, our personal hygiene and so on.

An imbalance in the gut bacteria is called dysbiosis and may contribute to disease or health disorders including Candidiasis, yeast overgrowth, insomnia, anxiety, autism, ADHD and obesity. Yes, even weight gain may be linked to the kind of bacteria residing in your gut!
Our gut-brain axis is so closely linked that our emotions can trigger symptoms in the gut!

Many times we are physically fine but our emotional turmoil may be the cause of symptoms like heart burn, cramps, diarrhea or IBS.
Therefore if you aren’t feeling your best, it might be time to tune-in and start listening to what your gut is telling you. The gut always signals that something is wrong and steers us in the right direction.
This quote summaries it all so succinctly!
“First calculate, then you calculate again, then go with your gut.”
– Robert Ludlum (1927-2001), The Sigma Protocol

If all is good the gut level, there is well-being.
 
Interested in strengthening your gut?
Grab my free guide on 10 Essential Foods for Rocking Digestion here, and begin right away!
You can book a complimentary discovery session and dive deeper into your gut issues. I’d be honored to help you.

Click here to book your FREE Freedom from Digestive Distress Session.
During our call, I’ll personally help you discover how you can reclaim your health and life.

• Create a crystal clear vision for your health and wellness that will help you enjoy life more fully and get your “spark” back
• Uncover the root cause, hidden challenges and self sabotaging habits that may be making you tired, bloated, crave sugar and carbs and put on weight.
• Leave this session renewed, inspired and ready to finally strengthen digestion so you can enjoy your favorite foods with restrictions and be your best once and for all.

000