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February 18, 2025 • 13 mins

Unlock the secrets of your "second brain" and transform your mental wellness by joining us in this eye-opening episode of KoreKast. Have you ever wondered why stress sends your stomach into turmoil or why that "gut feeling" can be so intense? The answer lies in the intricate connection between your gut and mind, mediated by the vagus nerve and the enteric nervous system. With over 500 million neurons in your gut, this "second brain" is a powerhouse for neurotransmitter production, significantly influencing your mood and mental clarity. Dive into the science of how your digestive system's health directly impacts your mind, and how understanding this connection could be the missing link in achieving mental balance.

As we explore the wonders of the gut microbiome, you'll learn how nurturing a healthy, diverse array of gut bacteria is crucial for mental well-being. Discover groundbreaking research showing how imbalances in gut bacteria are linked to anxiety and depression, and how specific probiotics could help regulate stress and reduce cortisol levels. Whether you're dealing with mood swings or looking to enhance your mental clarity, this episode offers practical insights into optimizing your gut health as a foundation for better mental health. Join Kris Harris, your guide through the complex world of health and wellness, as we embark on a journey to reset your gut and, in turn, reset your mind.

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Kris Harris (00:09):
Welcome back to the Kore Kast.
I'm your host, Kris Harris, andI'm thrilled to kick off season
four of our journey togetherthrough the vibrant world of
health and wellness.
Whether you're a fitnessfanatic, a Pilates enthusiast or
someone just beginning toexplore your wellness journey,

(00:30):
you're in the right place.
In this season, we're going todive deep into a wide array of
topics that matter, everythingfrom the latest in Pilates
techniques and fitness trends toessential mental health
insights and holistic wellnesspractices.
With nearly two decades ofexperience as a certified
personal trainer, pilatesinstructor and health coach, I'm
here to share expert tips,inspiring stories and practical
advice to help you live yourhealthiest, happiest life.

(00:52):
It's time to unlock your truepotential.
Welcome to Season 4.
Hey there, welcome to anotherepisode of Kore Kast.
I'm your host, Kris, and todaywe're diving into something that
might surprise you the powerfulconnection between your gut and
your mind.
Have you ever experiencedbutterflies in your stomach when
you're nervous or felt nauseousduring times of stress?

(01:15):
Well, there's a fascinatingscientific reason for that.
Think of your gut as a secondcommand center for your body,
constantly communicating withyour brain and influencing
everything from your mood toyour mental clarity.
In the next 15 minutes, I'llshow you how the state of your
digestive system could be thekey to unlocking better mental

(01:35):
health.
Whether you're dealing withanxiety, mood swings or just
want to feel more mentallybalanced, understanding and
optimizing your gut health mightbe the missing piece you've
been looking for.
Get ready to discover howresetting your gut could be the
first step to resetting yourmind.
Have you ever wondered why wesay we have a gut feeling or why
we feel emotion so strongly inour stomach?

(01:56):
Well, there's an incredibleinformation superhighway
connecting your brain and gut,and it's called the vagus nerve.
This remarkable nerve serves asa direct communication line
between your brain and digestivesystem, carrying messages back
and forth constantly.
But here's what's trulyfascinating your gut actually
has its own nervous system,known as the enteric nervous

(02:19):
system.
This network of neurons is socomplex and sophisticated that
scientists often refer to it asour second brain.
In fact, your gut containsaround 500 million neurons.
That's more than in your spinalcord.
This second brain doesn't justhandle digestion.
It's actively involved inproducing many of the same
neurotransmitters that regulateour mood and mental state.

(02:41):
Mood and mental state Would youbelieve that about 90% of your
body's serotonin, often calledthe happiness hormone, is
actually produced in your gut.
That's right.
The same chemical that manyantidepressants target is
primarily made in your digestivesystem.
The communication between yourgut and brain is a two-way
street.

(03:01):
When you're stressed, yourbrain sends signals to your gut,
which is why you mightexperience digestive issues
during anxious times.
Similarly, when your gut isunhealthy or imbalanced, it
sends distress signals to yourbrain, potentially affecting
your mood and mental state.
This intricate connectionexplains why digestive problems

(03:22):
often coincide with mentalhealth challenges.
When your gut is inflamed orimbalanced, it's not just your
digestion that suffers yourmental well-being can take a hit
too.
Understanding this connectionhelps us appreciate why taking
care of our gut health iscrucial for maintaining not just
our physical health, but ourmental health as well.

(03:43):
Let's dive deeper into theremarkable world of your gut
microbiome, the trillions ofbacteria that call your
digestive system home.
Recent research has shown thatthese tiny organisms play a
crucial role in shaping ourmental health, influencing
everything from our daily moodto our risk of developing
anxiety and depression.
Studies have found that peoplewith diverse, healthy gut

(04:06):
bacteria tend to experiencebetter mental health outcomes.
When our microbiome is balanced, these beneficial bacteria help
produce essentialneurotransmitters like serotonin
, gaba and dopamine, the verychemicals that regulate our mood
, motivation and emotionalwell-being.
Groundbreaking research fromleading institutions has

(04:28):
revealed that individualssuffering from depression often
show distinct patterns in theirgut bacteria composition.
These patterns typicallyinclude lower levels of
beneficial bacteria species likeLactobacillus and
Bifidobacterium, which are knownto help reduce inflammation and
support emotional regulation.
The link between gut bacteriaand anxiety is equally

(04:50):
compelling.
Clinical studies havedemonstrated that certain
probiotic strains can actuallyhelp reduce anxiety symptoms.
This happens because healthygut bacteria help regulate our
stress response system, loweringthe production of stress
hormones like cortisol andreducing inflammation throughout
the body.
What's particularly fascinatingis how our gut bacteria

(05:12):
influence brain inflammation.
When our microbiome isimbalanced, it can trigger an
inflammatory response thatdoesn't just stay in our gut, it
can reach our brain.
This inflammation has beenlinked to various mental health
conditions, including depression, anxiety and even cognitive
decline.
The good news is that our gutmicrobiome is highly responsive

(05:33):
to change, unlike our geneticcode, which remains fixed
throughout our life.
We can actively modify our gutbacteria through diet and
lifestyle choices.
Research shows that positivechanges in gut bacteria
composition can begin toinfluence our mental state in as
little as four to eight weeks.
These findings arerevolutionizing how we think

(05:54):
about mental health treatment.
Many mental healthprofessionals are now
incorporating gut healthstrategies into their treatment
plans, recognizing thatsupporting a healthy microbiome
can enhance the effectiveness oftraditional mental health
interventions.
Now that we understand how ourgut microbiome affects our
mental health, let's explore thefoods that can help us build a
stronger foundation for both ourdigestive and psychological

(06:17):
well-being.
The foods we choose to eat caneither fuel inflammation or
fight against it, directlyimpacting our mood and mental
clarity.
Let's start withanti-inflammatory foods that
support both gut and brainhealth.
Colorful fruits and vegetables,particularly leafy greens,
berries and cruciferousvegetables like broccoli and

(06:38):
cauliflower, are packed withantioxidants that combat
inflammation.
Omega-3 rich foods like fattyfish, walnuts and chia seeds not
only reduce inflammation, butalso support brain function and
emotional regulation.
Fermented foods areparticularly powerful allies in
our quest for better mentalhealth.
Foods like kimchi, sauerkraut,kefir and yogurt provide live

(07:04):
beneficial bacteria that canhelp restore balance to our gut
microbiome.
These probiotic-rich foods havebeen shown to reduce anxiety
and depression symptoms inmultiple studies.
Equally important are prebioticfoods, which feed our
beneficial gut bacteria.
Think of these as fertilizerfor your microbiome garden.
Foods like garlic, onions,asparagus and Jerusalem

(07:27):
artichokes contain specificfibers that nourish our good
bacteria, helping them thriveand multiply.
A Mediterranean-style dietpattern has consistently shown
benefits for both gut and mentalhealth.
This way of eating emphasizeswhole grains, legumes,
vegetables, fruits, nuts, seedsand olive oil, while limiting

(07:49):
processed foods and refinedsugars.
Research shows that people whofollow this dietary pattern have
lower rates of depression andanxiety.
It's also crucial to understandwhat foods can harm our
gut-brain connection.
Processed foods, excessivesugar and artificial sweeteners
can disrupt our gut bacteriabalance and promote inflammation

(08:11):
.
These foods can lead to moodswings, anxiety and even
contribute to depression overtime.
Timing and mindfulness aroundeating matter too.
Regular meal times helpestablish healthy gut rhythms,
while eating in a relaxed statesupports proper digestion and
nutrient absorption.
Rushing through meals or eatingwhile stressed can impair

(08:32):
digestion and lead to gut issuesthat affect our mental state.
Remember, hydration plays avital role in both gut and
mental health.
Water helps maintain the mucuslayer in our gut that supports
healthy bacteria and aids in theproduction of neurotransmitters
.
Herbal teas, particularly thosecontaining chamomile or
peppermint, can both hydrate andsoothe our digestive system.

(08:55):
Now that we've covered what toeat, let's focus on practical
steps you can take, startingtoday, to reset your gut and
improve your mental well-being.
Think of this as your roadmapto better gut health, with each
step, building upon the last.
Start your gut reset journey byimplementing a simple morning
routine.
Begin each day with a glass ofwarm water with lemon, which

(09:17):
helps stimulate digestion andsupports your body's natural
detoxification processes.
Wait at least 30 minutes beforehaving your first meal to allow
your digestive system to wakeup properly.
One of the most powerful changesyou can make is adopting a
time-restricted eating pattern.
Try to consume all your mealswithin an 8-10 hour window.

(09:38):
This gives your gut the rest itneeds to repair and regenerate.
For example, if you havebreakfast at 8am, aim to finish
your last meal by 6pm.
Movement is crucial for guthealth, but timing matters.
Light exercise like walking for15-20 minutes after meals, can
significantly improve digestionand reduce bloating.
However, avoid intense exerciseimmediately after eating, as

(10:02):
this can disrupt the digestiveprocess.
Stress management isnon-negotiable for gut health.
Incorporate daily stressreduction practices such as deep
breathing exercises, meditationor gentle yoga.
Even five minutes ofdiaphragmatic breathing before
meals can activate your rest anddigest response, improving
nutrient absorption and reducingdigestive discomfort.

(10:25):
Create a sleep routine thatsupports your gut health.
Aim for seven to nine hours ofquality sleep each night and try
to go to bed and wake up atconsistent times.
Poor sleep directly impacts gutbacteria composition and can
increase inflammation throughoutthe body.
When it comes to dietary changes, start gradually.
Begin by adding one fermentedfood to your daily diet, then

(10:49):
slowly increase fiber-rich foodsover several weeks.
This gentle approach helpsprevent digestive discomfort and
makes the changes moresustainable.
Consider keeping a food andmood journal for at least two
weeks.
This can help you identifypatterns between what you eat
and how you feel, bothphysically and mentally.
Pay attention to not just whatyou eat, but how you feel

(11:12):
immediately after eating andseveral hours later.
Don't forget aboutenvironmental factors.
Reduce your exposure to toxinsby choosing organic produce when
possible, particularly forfoods on the Environmental
Working Group's Dirty Dozen list.
Use natural cleaning productsand avoid antibacterial soaps
that can disrupt your gutmicrobiome.
Finally, remember that healingyour gut is a journey, not a

(11:35):
race.
Start with one or two changesand build from there.
Listen to your body's signalsand adjust accordingly.
Small, consistent steps lead tolasting improvements in both
gut and mental health.
As we wrap up today's episode, Iwant to emphasize just how
powerful the connection betweenyour gut and mind truly is.
We've explored the intricatecommunication network of the

(11:58):
vagus nerve, discovered how ourgut microbiome influences our
mood, and learned practicalstrategies to optimize both our
digestive and mental health.
Remember, every small step youtake toward better gut health is
a step toward better mentalwell-being.
Whether it's starting your daywith lemon water, incorporating
fermented foods into your dietor simply taking time to eat

(12:20):
mindfully, these changes cancreate profound shifts in how
you feel, both physically andemotionally.
If you're feeling overwhelmed,start with just one change this
week.
Perhaps begin with that morninglemon water ritual we discussed
, or try adding a dailyprobiotic-rich food to your diet
.
Small, consistent actions buildthe foundation for lasting

(12:42):
transformation.
Thank you for joining me todayon Kore Kast.
If you found this episodehelpful, please share it with
someone who might benefit fromthis information.
Together, we can build ahealthier, happier community,
one gut at a time.
Thank you for joining me onthis episode of the Kore Kast.
I hope you're feeling inspiredand empowered to take your

(13:02):
health and wellness journey tothe next level.
Remember, every small stepcounts and I'm here to support
you every step of the way.
If you enjoyed today's episode,I'd love for you to share it
with your friends and family and, if you're feeling generous,
consider donating at the linkprovided in the description.
Your support helps us to keepbringing you the Kore Kast every
week, packed with valuableinsights and expert advice For

(13:26):
more resources, tips and updates.
Don't forget to visit ourwebsite at www.
k ore-fit.
com and follow us on Instagramat korefitnessaz.
Join our community and let'scontinue this journey together.
Until next time, stay healthy,stay happy and keep striving for
your best self.
This is Kris Harris signing offfrom the Kore Kast and I'll see

(13:48):
you next week.
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