Do you seem to be going through your day in a fog that never seems to lift? It doesn’t appear that any amount of caffeine you consume seems to fix your foggy brain, and you start to wonder what’s wrong with you. You’d give just about anything to be able to think clearly and stay as productive as possible. Your performance at work, school, in the gym, and on the playing field are drastically suffering, and you realize this issue needs to be fixed — and fast. But did you know your gut may be the issue? Using probiotics can help mental clarity and could be precisely what you’re in need of.
Probiotics should not come as a surprise to you, as many people have been using them to aid in digestion and help with any gut issues they may be suffering from. But as probiotics become more and more popular over the years, and as an increasing number of people recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, we’re starting to realize its capabilities in cognition and mental performance.
But what many people may never have thought of or assumed is that probiotics can help mental clarity. In this article, we will dive deeper and explore the ways in which probiotics can benefit your brain and provide a list of explanations of how probiotics can help mental clarity.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before adding probiotics to your nutrition or supplement regimen and follow their guidance and recommended use.
Your Gut and Brain Are Connected
There is a running joke that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, the joke is on them because just about everything is connected to your gut, such as your immune system, digestion, and even the brain.
In order to understand how probiotics can help mental clarity, we first need to understand that the gut and the brain are connected. This connection is known as the gut-brain axis.
The gut is often referred to as the “second brain” because it has its own nervous system, known as the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is responsible for regulating the digestive system, but it also communicates with the brain via the vagus nerve. This means that your gut’s health can impact your mental well-being and vice versa. The ENS is made up of a pair of thin layers that contain over 100 million nerve cells that line the GI tract. This lining runs from the esophagus down to the rectum.
Additionally, your gut and brain are connected chemically, not just physically, via the vagus nerve. Your gut and brain are connected through various neurotransmitters and chemicals, such as hormones. How well the messages between the two are transmitted comes down to the overall health of your gut microbiome. The gut microbiome can be beneficial to your mental and physical health, as well as being harmless or harmful.
The beneficial gut bacteria also play a role in building hundreds of neurotransmitters that control cognition, learning ability, mood, and memory. This is also where probiotics can help mental clarity.
A healthy gut can help create a healthy brain; therefore, you cannot neglect overall gut health if you suffer from a foggy brain throughout the day. But even more important is how you can go about fixing a foggy brain, and the answer seems to be that probiotics can help mental clarity, which is what we’ll dive into next.
5 Ways Probiotics Can Help Mental Clarity
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in the gut. They can help to improve the balance of the gut microbiome, which can have a positive impact on mental health. When the gut microbiome is thrown off, it can cause various issues such as anxiety, fatigue, depression, digestion issues, constipation, bloating, heartburn, and more.
Here are a handful of the ways in which probiotics can help with mental clarity:
1. Reduce inflammation
Chronic inflammation can lead to a range of health issues, including mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Inflammation can stem from things such as the foods we consume, exercise, the immune system being activated when foreign pathogens or viruses enter the body, and much more.
Probiotics can help reduce inflammation in the gut, which can positively impact the brain. By improving the health of the microbiome, probiotics can help mental clarity by minimizing inflammation, warding off free radicals, and boosting the immune system.
2. Produce neurotransmitters
Probiotics can help mental clarity by producing neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, which all play a role in our mood, focus, and cognition.
These essential neurotransmitters play a crucial role in regulating mental performance, and imbalances can lead to mental health issues. By increasing the production of these neurotransmitters, probiotics can help to improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. When you look at this from a broader perspective, being able to maintain your composure and clear up a foggy brain can allow you the ability to enhance your focus throughout the day.
3. Improve gut barrier function
The gut barrier is responsible for preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream. If the gut barrier is compromised, it can lead to all sorts of complications, such as inflammation, infection, various illnesses, and other health problems.
Probiotics can help to improve gut barrier function, which can support overall health, including mental health. It accomplishes this by promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Also, probiotics can strengthen the gut lining and increase the production of mucin and other protective substances in the gut.
The combination of these things protects the integrity of the gut barrier and its functioning.
4. Regulate stress response
The gut-brain axis is closely linked to the stress response. When we experience stress, it can harm the gut and vice versa. Probiotics can help to regulate the stress response, which can have a positive impact on mental well-being.
Stress can lead to a foggy brain, and therefore to combat this, probiotics can help mental clarity and optimize cognitive functioning. If stress becomes chronic and cortisol levels (a stress hormone) rise, this introduces a new set of problems and challenges to overcome.
5. Improve nutrient absorption
The gut is responsible for absorbing nutrients from the food we eat. If the gut microbiome is imbalanced, it can impact nutrient absorption, which can be detrimental to mental health by not supplying the brain with the nutrients it needs to function and operate properly.
Probiotics can help to improve nutrient absorption by helping break down the food you consume. They also increase the production of digestive enzymes to further support the process and increase nutrient absorption.
All in all, a healthy gut improves digestion, absorption, and utilization of vital nutrients. This feeds and fuels the brain, which is why it is said that probiotics can help mental clarity.
It’s Time to Fix Your Foggy Brain Once and For All
Do you struggle with a foggy brain, unable to focus and think clearly? Whether it’s a daily battle or an occasional inconvenience, you no longer have to suffer in silence. With the power of probiotics, you can take control of your mental clarity and conquer the fog once and for all.
With so many foods out there that contain probiotics, you can experience the difference for yourself and with your health. Here are some of the best foods that contain probiotics:
- Yogurt: Yogurt is one of the most well-known sources of probiotics, containing live bacterial cultures like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Look for yogurt with "live and active cultures" on the label.
- Kefir: Kefir is a fermented milk product similar to yogurt but thinner in consistency and typically contains a broader spectrum of beneficial bacteria and yeast strains.
- Sauerkraut: Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage that is rich in lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus. It's a common condiment in many dishes.
- Kimchi: Kimchi is a Korean side dish made from fermented vegetables, primarily Napa cabbage and Korean radishes, along with spices. It's a good source of probiotics and has a spicy, tangy flavor.
- Miso: Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning made by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji (a type of fungus). It is commonly used in soups and dressings.
- Tempeh: Tempeh is a fermented soybean product that is high in protein and contains beneficial bacteria. It has a nutty flavor and a firm texture.
- Pickles (fermented in brine): Some pickles are fermented in brine rather than being made with vinegar. These naturally fermented pickles can contain probiotic bacteria.
- Kombucha: Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage made by fermenting sweetened tea with a culture of bacteria and yeast. It is known for its fizzy and tangy taste.
- Traditional buttermilk: Traditional buttermilk is the liquid left over after churning butter. It's a good source of probiotics and is different from cultured buttermilk found in stores.
- Fermented cheeses: Certain aged cheeses, like Gouda, cheddar, and Swiss, may contain live probiotic cultures.
- Fermented soy products: Besides tempeh, products like natto and miso, made from fermented soybeans, also contain probiotics.
Fermented foods are some of the best in terms of probiotics and can be found at your local grocery store. Find one that you enjoy and add it to your nutrition plan to improve your gut health and improve mental clarity.
That being said, there are several supplements out there that you can leverage if you aren’t a fan of foods that contain probiotics. For instance, Holistic Bin Organic Fermented (White Gold) Turmeric Powder Blend is grown, fermented, dried, and powdered in the US.
With its 4-week Kefir-Kombucha fermentation process, it yields some of the highest quality probiotics available. With 35 strains of microorganisms, our product can be easily added to your morning smoothies, shakes, or even teas to help you get in your daily probiotic intake. Try it today to help gain the mental clarity you demand and the health benefits you’re looking for.