In this episode Nicoleta chats about illness and happiness with Rachel Lett, registered nutritionist, expert in metabolic and gut health and Chief Care Officer at SPAN Health.

Rachel shares her experience of fighting Hodgkin Lymphoma 3 times as a child at 10, 12 and 16 and the shock she had when she relapsed after 9 years in remission at 26.

Born and raised on a farm, Rachel feels that her experience with the illness made her interested in food early in life and informed her decisions to certify as a chef and later register as a nutritionist.

Looking at the illness as being an invitation to reflect on her life and take action, Rachel considered the complementary medicine during her illness and engaged in a process of self-exploration, diet change, stress management and exercise to restore her balance.

She feels that life experiences and trauma can help you open to happiness which she defines as "a feeling of contentment and ease with everything that is going on".

They speak about the connection between gut health and happiness and how the gut communicates with the brain through the vagus nerve. Rachel shares that 95% of serotonin (called the happiness hormone) is found in the gut and if the microbiome is incorrect we cannot feel good and happy.

Nutrient deficiencies, gut health and blood sugar balance contribute to our mood and how we feel inside and have a lot of impact in our mental health and overall happiness. Nutrition is not about excluding but including the right foods that bring you mental clarity and energy and make you happy. 

Rachel encourages you to do things that bring value and enrich your life. Find what makes you feel good and what makes you happy. Also be kind to yourself and make small changes with the guide of a nutritionist to become your own health expert.

It is very important to tune into yourself and notice how you feel even if you don’t have symptoms. Prevention is very important and many illnesses can be prevented, especially the lifestyle diseases that SPAN is helping to revert.