Mental Health: How Your Gut and Brain Are Linked

Mental Health: How Your Gut and Brain Are Linked

Understanding the link between gut microbiome and the gut-brain connection is a vital first step towards making a substantial difference in long-term mental health and preventative health care. As “almost 60% of us shy away from talking about our gut health. Not only could this keep us enduring uncomfortable symptoms, but it could be dangerous for our health.” (UK Gut Health Report 2023)

The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that play a crucial role in overall health, including digestion, immune function, and mental health.

Universal expressions such as ‘feeling butterflies in our stomach’ or ‘gut-wrenching experience’ make sense. As “the gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety, sadness, elation — all of these feelings (and others) can trigger symptoms in the gut. The brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) system are intimately connected.” (Harvard Health Publishing)

This is because the gut and brain are interconnected through the gut-brain axis, a two-way signalling pathway between the gut and the central nervous system which can influence mood and behaviour.

Can live bacteria supplements help?
So what can we do to have greater control over our mood? Well, there’s growing evidence to suggest that a gut health oriented diet can improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. (Harvard Health Blog) As well as research that indicates that live bacteria could be an ‘early intervention’ strategy for individuals experiencing mood disorders.

Live bacteria supplements typically contain strains of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which stimulate the production of antibodies and other immune cells and improve gut barrier function, which reduces inflammation and the risk of intestinal disorders. (Healthline)

What does the research say?
In 2022, the University of Oxford published results from a randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial that examined the effect of Bio-Kult’s blend of 14 bacterial strains, on low mood and emotional salience. (National Library of Medicine) Which demonstrated that “taking a probiotic for just four weeks improves mood, emotional processing and our ability to read faces.” (Medical Journal Association)

Researchers enrolled 71 individuals with self-reported low mood and observed:

A downward trend in awakening salivary cortisol concentrations after 4 weeks of Bio-Kult intake.

Bio-Kult intake significantly reduced (-50% from baseline) depression scores on the PHQ-9.

Bio-Kult intake significantly improved concentration after 4 weeks of supplementation.

So, what can we do to improve our gut health?
One of the simplest and most effective ways is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, boosted by live bacteria supplements and fermented foods. As both contain live bacteria that can colonise the gut and compete with harmful bacteria, to restore the balance of the gut microbiome.

Fermented foods are often easier to digest than non-fermented foods, as the fermentation process breaks down complex sugars and other components into simpler, more easily digestible forms. This can help to reduce digestive discomfort and improve nutrient absorption. Examples of fermented foods include yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha.

Expert recommended gut health breakfasts
Starting your day with a good gut health orientated breakfast will help you get on top of your immunity, which can be both affordable and nutritious, with items such as oats, kefir, yoghurt, apples, berries and seeds.

Warm Option: Porridge topped with chopped or stewed fruit, nuts and seeds.

Cold Option: Oats mixed with grated apple and live yoghurt or kefir, topped with blueberries and toasted seeds.

Either way, sprinkle in an opened capsule of Bio-Kult Brighten for an extra dose of gut support. The advanced multi-strain formulation contains 14 gut-friendly live bacterial strains shown to survive the high acidity of stomach acid. As well as vitamins B6 and B12 which contribute to normal psychological function and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, as well as vitamin D3 and zinc which all contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

Overall, maintaining a healthy gut is essential for overall health and well-being, both physically and mentally. By taking care of our gut, we can support our mental health and improve our mood, emotions, and cognitive function. So, go ahead and indulge in that bowl of yoghurt or sauerkraut – your gut (and your brain) will thank you for it!

*Keep in mind, a gut health-oriented diet is just one aspect of a holistic approach to mental health and should be considered in conjunction with other lifestyle factors, such as regular exercise and stress management techniques. Also the effectiveness of a live bacteria supplement can depend on a number of factors, including the strain of bacteria, the dose, and the individual’s unique gut microbiome. It’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before starting a probiotic supplement to ensure that it’s appropriate for your individual needs.

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Typically thought of as being an easy to clean area of the home, hard floors have risen in popularity in recent decades. Globally, hard floors are the most common floor type,2 and research released today by Dyson has uncovered poor cleaning habits that mean hard floors are likely to be harbouring an array of hidden nasties. This comes as 32% of Brits – equating to 21.6 million people in the UK – will use the same dirty mop head for six months or more before replacing it. What’s more, one in 20 also admit to keeping the same mop for a year or longer, and one in 10 think it is acceptable to use the same mop 100 times, spreading dirt around their floors every time they use it. Cross contamination is a primary issue for most common and traditional mopping methods with germs and bacteria further being unknowingly spread around homes as Brits use dirty water to clean floors.3 45% only change the water to new water between rooms, whereas 41% wait even longer until it looks dirty. This could mean that floors are being washed with dirty water, adding more dirt rather than taking it away. Surprisingly, almost one in 10 (9%) even admit to not changing the dirty water at all when mopping. Over a quarter (28%) admit to mopping their floors once a fortnight or less while over half (53%) admit they don’t regularly clean behind appliances and leave dirt to build up for as long as six months at a time. image002.jpg On how to achieve a perfect barefoot clean feel after mopping, Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert offers their top tips for eliminating dirt around the home: 1. Create a cleaning schedule to stay on top of dirt build-up. In the last year, there has been a 15% global reduction in the number of people who maintain regular cleaning schedules. 47% of the British public admitted to only being motivated to clean when they spot visible dirt or dust.4 Regular floor cleaning with a wet hard floor cleaner like the Dyson WashG1™ removes more stubborn dirt than vacuuming alone. It is important to have a debris free surface, clear any clutter from the floor or other surfaces. Choose the right machine: Different vacuums are designed for different floor types and home sizes. Some machines will be engineered with hard floors in mind and will struggle on thick pile carpets, for example. Choosing the right machine for your home will make a big difference to the ease and speed with which you’re able to clean your home. Clean your floors ‘little and often’. Washing your floors frequently in areas that receive more foot fall will help to stop dirt building up and getting trodden into your floor. Using a dedicated wet floor cleaner on hard flooring such as the Dyson WashG1 is helpful for this, as the versatile format means it vacuums and washes the floor simultaneously. Cleaning schedules have also become less regimented. In recent years only 41% of people claim to have a regular cleaning schedule, and 60% admit to cleaning reactively; being motivated to clean only when there is visible dirt or dust5. It’s perhaps not surprising, that a fifth of people are still concerned their floors are dirty after they’ve mopped them (22%) and one in four6 feel extremely worried about indoor dust at home. Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert reveals why it is important to change the way we mop: “Cleaning your hard floors properly and regularly is important for maintaining a healthy environment around your home. Without a proper cleaning routine, dirt may unknowingly build up and spread around your home. It is evident from our research that current mopping habits mean British households aren’t cleaning their floors as effectively as they should. “From ignoring problem areas where dust and debris build up, cross contamination with dirty water to not replacing mop heads or inconsistent cleaning, current mopping behaviours may be making floors dirtier as opposed to cleaner. Moving away from traditional methods, wet floor cleaners like the Dyson WashG1 simplify the floor cleaning experience and provide a modern efficient and hygienic solution” To help take the guesswork out of mopping, the brand new WashG1 is Dyson’s first dedicated wet floor cleaner that tackles wet and dry debris in one go. Engineered for hygienic cleaning and maintenance, the WashG1 is revolutionising wet floor cleaning, removing the need for multi-products and multi-steps to achieve a barefoot clean feel around the home. To put the product to the test, Dyson have cleaned one of London’s most iconic landmarks The Victoria and Albert Museum. From cleaning the grand marble floors housing the most prestigious exhibits, to cleaning up leftover food in the Gamble Room Cafe, the WashG1 had a dirt busting tour of the museum leaving it spotless. Images can be found here. The WashG1 introduces Dyson’s engineering expertise to cleaning hard floors. With a 1 litre clean-water tank to cover flooring up to 290m2, the Dyson WashG1 uses a combination of hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to remove wet and dry spills and stains simultaneously. The Dyson WashG1 is available to purchase now from Dyson.co.uk, retailing at £599.99.

Typically thought of as being an easy to clean area of the home, hard floors have risen in popularity in recent decades. Globally, hard floors are the most common floor type,2 and research released today by Dyson has uncovered poor cleaning habits that mean hard floors are likely to be harbouring an array of hidden nasties. This comes as 32% of Brits – equating to 21.6 million people in the UK – will use the same dirty mop head for six months or more before replacing it. What’s more, one in 20 also admit to keeping the same mop for a year or longer, and one in 10 think it is acceptable to use the same mop 100 times, spreading dirt around their floors every time they use it. Cross contamination is a primary issue for most common and traditional mopping methods with germs and bacteria further being unknowingly spread around homes as Brits use dirty water to clean floors.3 45% only change the water to new water between rooms, whereas 41% wait even longer until it looks dirty. This could mean that floors are being washed with dirty water, adding more dirt rather than taking it away. Surprisingly, almost one in 10 (9%) even admit to not changing the dirty water at all when mopping. Over a quarter (28%) admit to mopping their floors once a fortnight or less while over half (53%) admit they don’t regularly clean behind appliances and leave dirt to build up for as long as six months at a time. image002.jpg On how to achieve a perfect barefoot clean feel after mopping, Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert offers their top tips for eliminating dirt around the home: 1. Create a cleaning schedule to stay on top of dirt build-up. In the last year, there has been a 15% global reduction in the number of people who maintain regular cleaning schedules. 47% of the British public admitted to only being motivated to clean when they spot visible dirt or dust.4 Regular floor cleaning with a wet hard floor cleaner like the Dyson WashG1™ removes more stubborn dirt than vacuuming alone. It is important to have a debris free surface, clear any clutter from the floor or other surfaces. Choose the right machine: Different vacuums are designed for different floor types and home sizes. Some machines will be engineered with hard floors in mind and will struggle on thick pile carpets, for example. Choosing the right machine for your home will make a big difference to the ease and speed with which you’re able to clean your home. Clean your floors ‘little and often’. Washing your floors frequently in areas that receive more foot fall will help to stop dirt building up and getting trodden into your floor. Using a dedicated wet floor cleaner on hard flooring such as the Dyson WashG1 is helpful for this, as the versatile format means it vacuums and washes the floor simultaneously. Cleaning schedules have also become less regimented. In recent years only 41% of people claim to have a regular cleaning schedule, and 60% admit to cleaning reactively; being motivated to clean only when there is visible dirt or dust5. It’s perhaps not surprising, that a fifth of people are still concerned their floors are dirty after they’ve mopped them (22%) and one in four6 feel extremely worried about indoor dust at home. Geli Lee, Dyson Engineer and Home Cleaning Expert reveals why it is important to change the way we mop: “Cleaning your hard floors properly and regularly is important for maintaining a healthy environment around your home. Without a proper cleaning routine, dirt may unknowingly build up and spread around your home. It is evident from our research that current mopping habits mean British households aren’t cleaning their floors as effectively as they should. “From ignoring problem areas where dust and debris build up, cross contamination with dirty water to not replacing mop heads or inconsistent cleaning, current mopping behaviours may be making floors dirtier as opposed to cleaner. Moving away from traditional methods, wet floor cleaners like the Dyson WashG1 simplify the floor cleaning experience and provide a modern efficient and hygienic solution” To help take the guesswork out of mopping, the brand new WashG1 is Dyson’s first dedicated wet floor cleaner that tackles wet and dry debris in one go. Engineered for hygienic cleaning and maintenance, the WashG1 is revolutionising wet floor cleaning, removing the need for multi-products and multi-steps to achieve a barefoot clean feel around the home. To put the product to the test, Dyson have cleaned one of London’s most iconic landmarks The Victoria and Albert Museum. From cleaning the grand marble floors housing the most prestigious exhibits, to cleaning up leftover food in the Gamble Room Cafe, the WashG1 had a dirt busting tour of the museum leaving it spotless. Images can be found here. The WashG1 introduces Dyson’s engineering expertise to cleaning hard floors. With a 1 litre clean-water tank to cover flooring up to 290m2, the Dyson WashG1 uses a combination of hydration, absorption, and extraction technologies to remove wet and dry spills and stains simultaneously. The Dyson WashG1 is available to purchase now from Dyson.co.uk, retailing at £599.99.

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