Wellness Wednesday

Still on sleep;

Sleep doesn’t begin in your brain, it begins in your gut.

The gut and brain communicate constantly through the gut-brain axis.

About 90% of the body’s serotonin, a key neurotransmitter involved in mood and the sleep cycle, is produced in the gut. Serotonin is later converted into melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate sleep.

Your gut also depends on adequate nutrition to support this process. Animal proteins such as eggs, fish and meats provide amino acids like tryptophan, along with vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and magnesium, all of which are involved in the production and regulation of neurotransmitters and hormones that influence healthy sleep.

A healthy gut microbiome is just as important. The trillions of beneficial bacteria living in your intestines help produce metabolites that influence the nervous system, regulate inflammation, and support normal sleep patterns.

When the gut is unhealthy, this communication is disrupted.

Conditions such as gastritis and peptic ulcers reduce the absorption of essential nutrients needed for hormone production.

Abuse of antibiotics disturb the balance of beneficial bacteria.

Unnecessary use of antacids reduce stomach acid, making it harder to digest protein efficiently and absorb iron, vitamin B12 and magnesium.

From this, you already know taking magnesium supplements to improve sleep will still need you to have a strong acid in the stomach;fasting. There’s no quick fixes.

If you’re struggling with sleep, don’t focus only on sleeping pills or bedtime routines. Look after your gut too.

• Drop inflammatory foods.
• Eat nutrient dense foods with adequate animal protein.
• Avoid unnecessary antibiotics.
• Avoid antacids and PPI’s unless otherwise.
• Enjoy fermented foods and probiotics.