Unhappy Brain May Mean Unhappy Gut
Unhappy Brain May Mean Unhappy Gut
Sent by JUDY CHO | August 7, 2021
Hope you’re having a nice week! For me, this week was a lot of studying for my board certification in holistic nutrition and also dealing with some controversy on my social media page. I’m a bit spent from it (justifying and explaining what my post meant), so I’ll leave it on Facebook and Instagram if you want to know what I’m talking about.
In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be sharing some more POVs and interviews on both the Cutting Against the Grain and Nutrition with Judy podcasts. My husband always tells me to stop being an unnecessary martyr (especially when I’m sensitive and probably would do better without it) but I get very passionate about principles and standing against topics that can hurt other people.
If I didn’t, I’d be a nutritionist for the standard American diet. That’s easy.
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the nervous system and they have a vital role on our mood and behavior.
Neurotransmitters are produced in the brain and in the gut (and other places, but less so).
For example, serotonin in the brain is mostly located in the gut (intestines).
What do you think happens when our gut health isn’t properly functioning?
If we have an imbalanced gut and we eat non-nutrient-dense foods, we are in a world of mental-health-hurt. Sure, it may not show up right away but it will.
Neurotransmitters also require nutrients to be created. If you are eating a nutrient-poor diet that is not bioavailable (plant-based foods) and have poor gut health, you will likely feel the adverse mental health effects.
Let’s talk serotonin again.
As mentioned, most serotonin resides in our gut. Serotonin is a mood stabilizer and regulates sleep, appetite, body temperature, and more.
Yes, even though it’s mostly in the gut: serotonin regulates mood, anxiety, and fear.
Nutritionally, serotonin requires B-vitamins, tryptophan, and omega-3 fats to be made and utilized. Especially the amino acid, tryptophan.(Whole milk is one of the greatest sources of tryptophan).
See why any diet that wants to lower tryptophan and omega-3 fats is not ideal?
See why having gut disease and being on a plant-based diet has a higher risk for mental health disease?
You can eat pineapples (but caution: fructose and salicylates), soy (caution: excess estrogen), and nuts/seeds (caution: gut destroyers) for the tryptophan, but what about the B-vitamins and omega-3s? (no to flax seeds: see estrogen)
Do you know what low serotonin looks like?
Erratic moods and behavior.
Heal your gut. And eats lots of meat and fat.
CATG PODCAST: Sleep
In this week’s Cutting Against the Grain episode, Laura and I talk about sleep on a low-carb diet. If you are struggling with sleep, I highly recommend listening to this episode.
Topics Discussed:
- Importance of sleep
- Why you may sleep poorly when transitioning to meat-based, keto, or low-carb diet
- Our experience with sleep
- Why you may sleep poorly on a low-carb diet
- Stress and sleep
- Importance of Tryptophan
- Ketogenic diets and sleep cycles
- Histamines
- Oura Ring
- Tips to support better sleep
Listen Now!
NwJ PODCAST: Depression, ADHD, and Anxiety: The Role of Nutrition in Mental Health with Dr. Julia Rucklidge
I had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Julia Rucklidge on the role of Nutrition in Mental Health. Her clinical studies showed that nutrient-density is possibly more effective than psychiatric medications on mental health.
Her Ted Talk has almost 2 million views and because it talks about food as medicine, Ted Talk corporation has flagged it as possible misinformation.
This is the world we live in.
Watch Now!
I also released a video and podcast explaining the gut-healing supplements that I had shared on my social media pages a few weeks ago.
I normally don’t like answering, “What supplement do I take for X problem?” So I also explained how the digestive process works. I do this so hopefully, it helps you take control of your healing.
Watch Now!
NwJ INSIDER TIPS
The Carnivore Cure book has officially been accepted as a resource that earns CEU credits for continuing education for the National Association of Nutrition Professionals.
It’s exciting as these are nutrition professionals can learn the science around carnivore and implement meat as an elimination diet for healing. One huge win for carnivore!
If you don’t follow me on social media, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. (Pinterest coming soon).
One more insider tip: I’m doing a giveaway with Dr. Julia Rucklidge and Carnivore Cure on Carnivore Cure’s Instagram page. So make sure to enter the giveaway!
Okay, one more: enjoy the talk with Dr. Bret Scher (Diet Doctor) coming out Monday. He is an amazing human being!
I’ll be taking some time away from social media. While I love sharing content I’m passionate about, I also need time away to self-care. And after this week, I’ll probably need just a bit extra. Enjoy your week and take care!
with ♥️ and hope for healing,
DISCLAIMER:
While I am a nutritional therapy practitioner and provide nutritional support, I am not providing medical advice. Any information provided in regards to nutritional therapy should not be considered medical advice or treatment. Always consult your primary care physician or medical team.