Why Is Stress So Harmful?

We think that stress is just stress, but what we need to realize is the effects of stress on our body and why our stress levels sometimes feel uncontrollable. In fact, stress doesn't just stem from our brain, but our gut as well. Let me explain... There are 100 trillion different types of bugs/bacteria (both good and bad) that live in the gut and they are actively involved in so many aspects of our physiology that directly affect the brain’s function moment to moment. They also influence the brain’s long term health and resistance to disease. These "good and bad" bugs have to be kept in balance as both are needed to maintain optimal health.
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Through many studies, research and journal publications, it's now becoming increasingly clear that bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms in the gut (intestinal tract) play a MAJOR role in your whole health, physically, emotionally and mentally.  Your intestinal tract contains hundreds of good and bad bacteria that are essential to your health. Again the importance of this is to keep it balanced. Stress levels, antibiotics, poor diet, sugary foods, refined carbs, chlorinated/fluoridated tap water, toxic bottled water, parasites, inflammation, and the widespread use of antibacterial soap and hand sanitizers can disrupt the critical balance between the “good” and “bad” bacteria in your gut. 

Contrary to what we think we know, the brain as the organ is all that's in charge, but your gut is far more involved in our brain function than we realize. It sends far more information to your brain than your brain sends to your gut... For example you've most likely experienced the sensation of butterflies in your stomach when you're nervous, or even had an upset stomach when you were angered or stressed out? This happens because our gut is sending massive signals to the brain to alert stress. The issue at hand is that its not only in your "head" its that any problems in your gut will directly impact your mental health, leading to issues like anxiety and depression.
The quality, quantity, and composition of the bacteria in your gut have enormous influence on your brain. Dr. David Perlmutter explores this phenomenon in great detail in his book, Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain-for Life.

Did You Know?
That we actually have two nervous systems: The Central nervous system (CNS) which is composed of your brain and spinal cord and the second is the Enteric nervous system, which is the intrinsic nervous system of your gastrointestinal tract. Both of our nervous systems are created from identical tissue during fetal development, one part turns into your central nervous system while the other part develops into your enteric nervous system. These two systems are connected via the vagus nerve, the tenth cranial nerve that runs from your brain stem down to your abdomen.

It is now proven that the vagus nerve is the primary route your gut bacteria uses to transmit information to your brain. We have neurons in both our brain and in the gut. These neurons produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which is also found in your brain. The greatest concentration of serotonin, which is involved in mood control, depression, rage and aggression, is found in your intestines and not in your brain. Gut bacteria also produces dopamine, acetylcholine and GABA, although these molecules cannot cross the blood brain barrier, they indirectly affect brain function via their actions at the vagus nerve. In a few studies it been shown that the probiotic (good bacteria) known as Bifidobacterium longum has been shown to help normalize anxiety-like behavior in mice with infectious colitis. Psychological and physical stressors alter the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota. And changes to the gut microbiome can affect emotional behaviour and related brain systems. So in human's suffering from colitis, IBS, and other digestive issues that lack this vital probiotic will cause upheaval in the digestive tract hence impacting the brain function which also impacts mood. Think of our bodies as a domino set. When one system gets knocked down the rest of the systems shortly follow.
“We’re right at the dawn of a whole new way of thinking about brain development and brain heath. And the neuroscientific evidence for the role of the microbiome is just getting stronger and stronger at the basic level.” ~ Tim Cryan

How Do We Protect The Intestinal Biome And The Brain:

First and foremost we need Probiotics: 

"PROBIOTICS = FOR LIFE"

Every person has their own mixture of intestinal bacteria that’s as unique as their fingerprint. All these beneficial microorganisms are essential for your overall health.  We need probiotics for essential and effective digestion so the body can break down and absorb food efficiently. Probiotics also keep harmful bacteria in check and help keep your immune system healthy. They help you absorb essential minerals and can even manufacture vitamins your body requires and carries out to the rest of the body's systems. Without a proper balance in the intestinal tract, the body has a very difficult time transporting nutrients where they need to go.

Secondly...Our Diet. By adding the following foods to your diet, it can boost your friendly flora naturally:

Fermented Dairy Products Such As Yogurt & Kefir:

When looking for good yogurt and kefir, look for brands that state they contain live cultures of bacteria. Avoid yogurt and kefir brands that contain added sugar or state 0% fat. Sugar feeds unfriendly gut bacteria, nullifying some of yogurt’s beneficial effects and most importantly avoid any yogurt and kefir that contain no fat. When fat is removed from a food, a harmful preservative of some kind is added so the product can sustain itself through to the expiration date and beyond. Besides these products need the fat to keep its natural bacteria state. I myself prefer kefir since it contains a greater variety of cultures than yogurt and is well tolerated even by those who are lactose intolerant. 

Other Fermented Foods:

Pickled vegetables of all kinds including sauerkraut and kimchi. If you buy these food products in a store, look for those labeled “unpasteurized” since heat destroys the good bacteria that we are actually needing for brain-gut balance. Other fermented food that help are pure mother Apple Cider Vinegar, pure Kombucha and unpasteurized cheeses.

Third, You need to include Pre-biotics in your diet:

Foods high in prebiotic fibers include asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, bamboo shoots, bananas, barley, chicory, leeks, garlic, lentils, mustard greens, onions, tomatoes, dark chocolate especially its less processed forms, cocoa powder and cacao nibs, all stimulate the growth of good bacteria.

“All disease begins in the gut.” -Hippocrates

In Conclusion:
Even though you may think that your "gut" is in great health, the symptoms of an unhealthy gut can often manifest themselves in other parts of the body not just the digestive system. Even if you don't suffer from IBS, heart burn, stomach upsets and other digestive issues, the manifesting can show up as feelings of overwhelmed stress, rage, anger, anxiety, unexplained allergies, poor mental focus, poor immune function, autoimmune illnesses, and so on. Now that an awareness has been brought up, check with your body and ask it what it would like to have to be more healthy and thriving.

It's important to remember the root cause of the symptoms we experience all stem from our gut. From the chaos in our daily lives, to anxiety, stress, depression to the foods and liquid that we drink the key to healing and feeling youthful is BALANCE. Obtaining alkalinity is about restoring the body's natural state. Acidity or acidosis running rampant through our system doesn't contribute to overall health.

ACID = Illness  / ALKALINE = Health

Did you know that the type of water we drink has a huge impact on bodily functions,? We are made of 70% + water and we need to sustain a proper pH balance to assist in the healing process. One of the most important things a person can do to begin the process of balancing and reducing the acids from the variety of foods we eat and liquids we drink is to change our water. 
The water has to be in an alkaline state, it has to be purified but retain its minerals at the same time, it should be energized with hydrogen and the water has to be wetter so our bodies can actually absorb it, we have to break down the water clustering effect which is simple when we remove its acid state (acid causes the molecules of water to stick together) For anyone who suffers from water retention, take note that this is due to your body not absorbing the water your drinking and acidosis is part of the culprit. We need bioavailable water that can permeate the cell membranes, this is all simply done with the correct water system. Alkaline water from a water ionizer or pitcher provides that negative ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) and pH balance that helps probiotic bacteria thrive. By drinking alkaline water, you actually “tip the scales” in favor of probiotic bacteria. In conclusion you now know how important gut health is, how it effects our brain and what you can do to fix it. We have two connected nervous systems that we have to protect. Stay healthy, thriving and strong! 

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