How Gut Health Directly Impacts Mental Health

Arbonne Digestion Plus

Did you know that an estimated 90% of the body's Serotonin (the happy hormone) is produced in the gut! A few years ago I was at an Arbonne event for my friend Jen , who is an Intensive Care Nurse and an Arbonne National Vice President & Consultant, was presenting on the 30 Days to Healthy Living Program that Arbonne has. She knew that for the last 10 years, at least , I have struggled with anxiety and depression. She explained the connection between gut health and the happy hormone, and I knew then that I needed to start thinking about food and probiotics as major contributing factors to my mental health. 
Included in the 30 Days to Healthy Living Fit Kit, is this amazing little box with digestive gold! Digestion plus is a dietary supplement that includes probiotics, prebiotics and enzymes to aid in in digestion! 

In an article titled 'Gut Feelings: How Food Affects your Mood" published by Harvard Medical School in December of 2018, the author writes about the immense impact that our gut health has on our mental health. Below are some of the advice that the article gives in relation to how a healthier gut can improve your mood. 

Suggestions for a healthier gut and improved mood

• Eat whole foods and avoid packaged or processed foods, which are high in unwanted food additives and preservatives that disrupt the healthy bacteria in the gut.
• Instead of vegetable or fruit juice, consider increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Frozen fruits without added sugars/additives are a good choice too.
• Eat enough fiber and include whole grains and legumes in your diet.
• Include probiotic-rich foods such as plain yogurt without added sugars.
• To reduce sugar intake at breakfast, add cinnamon to plain yogurt with berries, or to oatmeal or chia pudding.
• Adding fermented foods such as kefir (unsweetened), sauerkraut, or kimchi can be helpful to maintain a healthy gut.
• Eat a balance of seafoods and lean poultry, and less red meat each week.
• Add a range of colorful fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet, and consider choosing certain organic produce.

In the Arbonne 30 Days to Healthy Living Program some of the things you are asked to do are to reduce if not eliminate processed food, eliminate any added sugars , and increase your intake of fiber etc. All of these can be linked back to improved mood and gut health! Try it! Worst that can happen is you'll eat healthy for a month and maybe lose a few pounds, the best things that can happen is look good, feel good. Potentially, lose weight, decrease bloat, improve gut health and improve your mood! 

 Get the 30 Days to Healthy Living program by becoming a Preferred Client with me at Christine's Arbonne Site

-Christine