The expression ‘follow your gut reaction’ has a lot of truth in it. The gut is also known as the ‘second brain’ and the gut-brain relationship is of paramount to your health, both mental and physical. So listen to your gut as well as your brain!

Not so long ago, it was believed that the gut was responsible for digestion only, but now more and more research is proving that the gut plays a much bigger role in overall health. Not only is it responsible for digestion, it wards off infection & fights many bugs and diseases, but also has a vital role in the transport and delivery of chemical messages between your brain & the rest of your body.

A person with a healthy gut is a happy person. If the body’s microbiome (collection of powerful friendly bacteria) is varied and healthy, this greatly contributes to a person’s wellbeing and happiness, with lower rates of anxiety, weight and mood issues reported.
So how do we keep a healthy gut?

Here are some 360me top tips:

1. Eat a rainbow. A diet of colourful & varied fruit and veg will contribute a variety of nutrients and vitamins to your gut, each one doing a different job.
2. Eat plenty of fibre. Waste will be processed quicker keeping the colon healthy. Fibre delivers much required food for the friendly bacteria in your gut.
3. Introduce some good quality live natural yogurt to your diet which helps colonise a good community of friendly bacteria.
4. Cultured foods are the best for your gut, feeding and maintaining the health of your microbiome. Try kimchi, miso, sauerkraut.
5. Antibiotics play havoc with your gut and kill off the friendly bacteria alongside the harmful bacteria. Supplement with a high strength probiotic such as Udo’s Choice, to build up your immunity once again. The live bacteria are sensitive to light and heat so ensure they are in dark bottles kept in the fridge.
6. Relax! Stress is the gut’s enemy (think stomach churning). The brain and gut are so powerfully interlinked. Try some mindful techniques of breathing deep into your tummy. Try direct the breath into the area where you feel the anxiety. Practice daily to help trigger your body’s relaxation response when you need it most. The more you practise, the easier it will come. (More on this subject to come….).