We've all heard the age-old advice to "trust your gut." While it may sound mystical, recent scientific discoveries are shedding light on the real power of our gut instincts. These "gut feelings" often manifest as physical sensations—butterflies, unease, or inner peace—in response to actions, decisions, or relationships. But there's more to this intuitive wisdom than meets the eye.

The gut, known as the digestive tract, plays a significant role in our overall well-being. Beyond digestion, it influences sleep, skin health, immunity, stress responses, energy, and metabolism. In fact, your gut is home to a vast ecosystem of over 100 trillion microbial cells, collectively known as your gut microbiome. Just as your fingerprint is unique, so is your microbiome, and its balance is essential for your health.

Researchers have uncovered a fascinating connection between the gut and the brain, with millions of tiny nerve cells linking the two. This "second brain" can influence memory, cognition, mood, and mental well-being, making emotional experiences translate into gut feelings.

In essence, paying attention to your gut feelings is a way to connect with your inner self, tapping into intuition and instinct. The good news is that you can improve your gut health through various means:

Diverse Nutrition: Embrace a wide range of plant-based foods, including whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Your gut microbiome thrives on diversity.
Probiotic Foods: Incorporate probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt, sauerkraut, kefir, and more into your diet. These natural sources are more potent than many probiotic supplements.
Prebiotic Foods: Oats, garlic, bananas, and other foods rich in prebiotics help feed your beneficial gut bacteria.
Daily Movement: Regular physical activity and stress management techniques are essential for gut-brain balance.
Hydration and Sleep: Drink plenty of water, and aim for at least 8 hours of quality sleep.
Avoiding Harmful Substances: Steer clear of artificial sweeteners, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.

If you've recently taken antibiotics, prioritise probiotic-rich foods to restore gut balance. Stress can also disrupt your microbiome, highlighting the importance of self-care and relaxation techniques like journaling, meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and spending time in nature.

Tuning into your body's cues is a profound way to harness your innate wisdom. The intricate connection between your mind and gut offers valuable insights, allowing you to make more informed decisions.

Our dedicated team of practitioners is here to support your holistic health journey. Explore our wellness services to find the guidance and care you need.

Trust your gut and follow your heart,

Chloe Louise

Certified Practicing Nutritionist

At Innerform Health, we’re thrilled to share that this article was featured and published in FORTH Magazine Chapter 2 - Introspection. FORTH Magazine is an in-depth wellness resource with a specific focus on mental health and recovery. Click here to order your copy online now.

References

Galley, J. D., Nelson, M. C., Yu, Z., Dowd, S. E., Walter, J., Kumar, P. S., Lyte, M., & Bailey, M. T. (2014). Exposure to a social stressor disrupts the community structure of the colonic mucosa- associated microbiota. BMC Microbiology, 14(189), 1-13. https://doi.org/ 10.1186/1471-2180-14-189

Naidoo, U. (2020). This is your brain on food: an indispensable guide to the surprising foods that fight depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and more. Little, Brown Spark.

Rinninella, E., Cintoni, M., Raoul, P., Lopetuso, L., Scaldaferri, F., Pulcini, G., Miggiano, G., Gasbarrini, A., & Mele, M. (2019). Food components and dietary habits: keys for a healthy gut microbiota composition. Nutrients, 11(10), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102393

Valdes, A., Walter, J., Segal, E., & Spector, T. (2018). Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health. Science and Politics of Nutrition, 361(1), 36-44. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k2179