Your diet largely determines your feelings and behavior. The gut’s ecosystem of bacteria is often called the “second brain” because it’s so intricately connected to mental activity and health. In fact, the vast neural network in our guts communicates mainly with these bacteria. This communication in turn influences the brain through multiple mechanisms. What we put into our bodies works its way back to consciousness. It shapes our thoughts and moods.
Around a thousand different species of gut bacteria play a major role in our lives. That’s a lot of bacteria. These species determine our levels of anxiety, depression, memory loss, and other disorders. To a great extent, they regulate our day-to-day behavior. These same bacteria also cause physical discomfort. Think of bloating, obesity, food allergies, diabetes, infections, and skin problems like eczema and rosacea. Then, realize that these problems are due largely to what you eat and drink. Our indulgences become our own worst enemy.
Many Americans maintain horrible diets that breed unhealthy gut microbes. Therefore, they are largely responsible for their inevitable mental and emotional problems. Blaming others for their unhappiness won’t help. All the psychological counseling in the world won’t fix this.
On the other hand, smarter dietary habits will. Current research shows that a healthy gut reduces inflammation levels, lowers stress, improves memory, and mitigates neuroticism and social anxiety. The corporate world won’t tell you this. It would rather sell you all sorts of unhealthy products in its quest for increased profits. Corporations don’t care about your health, or your children’s health.
Regardless, people have agency in determining who they are. They choose what to eat and drink. Gut health isn’t that hard to maintain. The first thing to do is cut back on the consumption of inflammatories like refined carbohydrates, sugar, and processed foods. Alcohol, caffeine, and various drugs are irritants, too. They should be avoided or consumed in limited amounts. Next, reducing stress levels by whatever means possible improves gut health. There’s no point in worrying about things over which we have no control. Finally, taking a good probiotic supplement and eating sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt, wild salmon, garlic, onions, and high-fiber foods helps. Everything in moderation, right?
