For years, we have been told that anxiety is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. But nothing could be further from the truth as more and more studies are pointing towards the microbiome in the gut. Remember those “butterflies” in your stomach? These are much more than minor sensations, they are your gut communicating with your brain!
Here is Why You Might Have Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Panic attacs and anxiety are commonlysymptoms of chronic inflammation, poor gut health, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies.
Gut Microbiome and Anxiety.
The gut-brain connection is fascinating. Your gut tells your brain what to think and feel. We have 90% of our serotonin, (which gives us feelings of happiness,) located in our gut. In fact, there is about 400 times more serotonin in the gut than there is in the brain. Also, we have 50% of the dopamine in our gut as well. Dopamine is our feel-good hormone. GABA, gamma amino butyric acid, which help with stress and anxiety are present in our gut!
Your body contains trillions of microorganisms that make up the gut microbiome. Healthy gut microbiota is important to human health and your immunity. In fact, anxiety might be alleviated by regulating gut bacteria (study).
An unhealthy gut microbiome is associated with many neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism disorders, anxiety disorders.
On a side note: Parkinson’s, depression and Alzheimer’s are all now thought to originate in the gut.
Inadequate levels of the B vitamins, especially B12, B6 and folate play a role in mental disorders.
B12 deficiency has been linked to brain fog, cognitive decline, and heart disease to learning disabilities, infertility, and autoimmune disease. When you don’t have enough B12, it can affect virtually every system and tissue in the body.
