Our digestive system is often overlooked when it comes to our overall health and well-being. However, research has shown that there is a strong connection between our gut and our brain. This connection, known as the gut-brain axis, can play a role in a variety of health conditions, including depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia.
GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION AND HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES
It has become quite apparent that over the years of specializing in clinical Disorders such as depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and other chronic health conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer, many of these individual sufferers also suffered from other digestive issues such as stomach upsets, and issues with sleep and energy levels, etc.
Having experienced serious digestive issues myself over the last couple of years, with no health professional being able to give me an explanation of what was the cause of this discomfort. My quality of life significantly declined and I also developed anxiety as a result of not being able to understand or manage the pain. It was then that I developed an interest in how the human digestive system is affected and controlled by the brain.
There has been a lot of research conducted which supports what is commonly known as the gut-brain connection. This connection can be referred to as a bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system via the vagus nerve that connects cognitive and digestive behaviors. The enteric nervous system is commonly known as the second brain.
Inside every person, there exists trillions of microorganisms- bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other life forms known as the microbiome. As a result, gut bacteria produce hundreds of neurochemicals that the brain uses to regulate and influence basic physiological processes as well as learning memory and mood. It is well known that gut bacteria produce the supply of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, all of which play a key role in a person’s mood.
Some individuals suffering from psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety are on antidepressants to help regulate neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
There is a lot of evidence pointing to the fact that the health and diversity of the microbiome have been implicated in different physical and psychological health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
My main focus is to educate individuals about the role of the gut and brain connection and support their emotional difficulties associated with these disorders, together with other health practitioners to find natural ways to improve their psychological health.
If you feel you are suffering from the above disorders/symptoms do not hesitate to contact Romina and start getting back to enjoying life again.