Our gut health has a remarkable impact on our mental health. A healthy gut microbiome is responsible for the production of important neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that are key in regulating our mood. Our gut is also known as our second brain as it has hundreds of millions of neurons that process information and communicate with the brain through the vagus nerve. Our gut is also where 70-80% of our immune system lives. In a damaged gut these processes break down causing lower production of important neurotransmitters and causes immune system activation which leads to inflammation in the body and brain and can also lead to dis-regulation of the nervous system.

All of these things have a huge impact on our mood and can leave us feeling sluggish, tired, anxious, depressed or even increase symptoms of bipolar, PTSD and other neurological conditions. This connection between the gut and brain is key – when we heal the gut we are also healing the mind.