The Gut-Brain Connection & How Your Gut Impacts the Rest of You*

Ever have a “gut feeling”? Science has proven that there is a gut-brain axis that is a two-way street, with messages coming and going from the immune, nervous, endocrine and other systems. Your digestive tract is lined with hundreds of millions of neurons. This “gut brain” is your enteric nervous system, and it’s on speed dial with your actual brain and central nervous system, thanks to all those neurons and your vagus nerve. 

That connection means that what you do for your gut impacts the brain — and vice-versa. Proper digestion and nutrient assimilation can help promote a healthy balance in the gut microbiome. Certain supplements can offer support. 

What you do for your brain can impact your gut and vice-versa. The gut microbiome feels the impact of not only what you eat – but also how you digest it. That’s one reason why it’s important to have adequate levels of digestive enzymes. Lifestyle, age and genetic issues (such as lactose intolerance) can impact our supply of digestive enzymes.* 

Supplementing with digestive enzymes helps counteract incomplete digestion — and deal with the occasional digestive discomforts associated with enzyme insufficiency.

Diversity is key for a healthy intestinal microbiome. Studies show that consuming higher amounts of the omegas EPA, DHA and DPA (such as in fish oil supplements) promotes that diversity.* 

Probiotics are the “good bacteria” that promote overall gut health. They are one of the best-known ways to improve the health and diversity of the gut microbiome.* When the microbiome is running strong, it supports digestion, immune function, removal of toxins and absorption of nutrients.