Food is a huge part of most cultures. Yet, most people don't realize how the food you eat influences how you think, feel, and behave. What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is dedicated to getting to the root of the problem. Traditional medicine focuses on diagnosis and treatment, usually with pharmaceuticals.  Functional medicine focuses on supporting the body more naturally in order to reestablish balance. If you aren't feeling well, lack energy, etc., functional medicine can be used to dive deeper into the root cause of the imbalance in your body. This is a scientific but more natural approach. Both gut health and hormones are critical for our overall health, including our mental health.

Gut health in relation to how the food you eat influences how you think

The enteric nervous system is housed in our gut, which means the gut is home to a large portion of our nervous system. In addition,  the vagus nerve runs from the gut to the brain. This is how our body communicates either the flight or fight mechanism or rest and digest. The gut is regulated by the microbiome, bacteria in our gut, when the balance is off, the communication to our brain is skewed. And, when the microbiome is off, there is inflammation in the gut as well as in other areas of the body.

When you are stressed, your gut health is not prioritized by the body. The gut suffers. Acid levels are altered and nutrients aren't absorbed properly. As a result, you can experience hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and a host of other things. This is why our gut health is so important.

If you are struggling with mental health challenges, anxiety, brain fog, depression, or lack of focus, start with nutrition. What are you eating to nourish your body?

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