The Gut Influences Mood, Brain & Sleep

Your nervous system includes the sympathetic system—known for its “fight or flight” response that kicks into gear under stressful situations—and the parasympathetic system, which aids in digestion, sleeping, dreaming and relaxing. Many of us are anxious, overtired and overworked, living in a perpetual state of stress. Stress may decrease blood flow to the stomach, which may lead to cramping, digestive upset or an imbalance of gut bacteria. The mood that comes with tummy troubles may even perpetuate the cycle.

Circadian rhythms make up your internal 24-hour clock, which communicates with all regions of your brain and every organ to control things like appetite, hormones, temperature and sleep. Our gut microbiome, the collection of microorganisms that live in the intestinal tract, is a key player in the gut-brain connection. Sleep deprivation and disruption of your circadian rhythms alter the makeup of the microbiome, which can lead to its dysregulation and, in turn, alter sleep.

Immune Defenses of the Gut

Besides digesting food and synthesizing nutrients that are key to a healthy immune system, healthy intestinal bacteria fortify our immune defenses against infection-causing germs. A poor gut microbiome can also make the intestinal lining more permeable. Increased intestinal permeability, or “leaky gut,” is thought have the potential to lead to allergies and autoimmune diseases—in all, a compromised immune system.

The Gut’s Role in Nutrition

We all understand the importance of a clean, healthy diet that’s rich in nutrients. But if the gut isn’t performing properly, the vital micronutrients our bodies rely on may not be optimally extracted from what we eat. Leaky gut syndrome can result in not only poor digestion, but also malabsorption of amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Also, those experiencing stomach issues may choose easily digestible but less nutritious foods over healthier options, giving the body even less to work with.

Gut Health Inside and Out

Poor digestive health increases our susceptibility to many conditions, including some that may affect the appearance of the skin. To be clear, there are many factors that contribute to skin health, but it’s interesting that researchers have demonstrated an intimate, bidirectional connection between the gut and skin. In fact, numerous studies link gastrointestinal wellness with skin homeostasis, its optimal state of balance. (It’s no coincidence that a good esthetician will ask you about your diet and maybe even your bathroom patterns.)