Gut Health and Mental Well-Being
In previous Blogs I have discussed the relationship between gut health and mental wellbeing. An additional relationship we need to consider is between glucose and mood. Plus, how gut health has a connection between glucose levels and mental health!
The idea should come as no surprise as the brain runs primarily on glucose and your gut feeds that. The higher blood glucose or hyperglycemia, has historically been associated with anger or sadness. Have you heard of the term “Hangry”? Many people may be suffering from symptoms of common mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, without realizing that variable blood sugar could be the culprit. Hypoglycemia, (low blood sugar) has been associated with nervousness. This has to be considered, simply looking at what you just ate and joining the dots to mood could be helpful.
These highs and lows can cause issue with mood. Diabetics are not the only ones that could have glucose flux with moods fluxing the same. What about someone consuming a high sugar diet with refined carbohydrates. They may experience a sudden surge in their blood sugar, followed by an exaggerated insulin response, leading to Hypoglycemia and a mood swing. So, Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia both need to be considered.
Your dietary choice and lifestyle has implications, but also consider that we know that specific species and strains of gut microbes are more common in people with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the gut microbiome can be altered to reduce type 2 diabetes risk. BOOM! I hope you joined those dots!
The idea here is simple, always choose to rule out alternative causes, before jumping to mental health treatment or interventions, but also look at gut health for some answers. Have a look at lifestyle principles to help stabilize blood sugar. Reduce and manage stress, increase intake of protein and fibre, reduce intake of sweet beverages and refined carbohydrates. Easy, I hope this makes perfect sense.
Have questions, ask me, info@mindhealthconnect.ca
Ref: University of Michigan School of Public Health