A Healthy Gut = Healthy Sleep
This Blog was provided by sleepability.co.uk
Many of you may well be aware that the Pineal Gland needs sunlight and darkness to help maintain your body& Circadian Rhythm and, crucially, to produce the sleep hormone, Melatonin. However, recent research 1 has confirmed that the gut is, by far, the largest producer of Melatonin, meaning there is even more reason to care for your gut health. The gut monitors your immune system for much of the day, so vital is your gut health to overall health and wellbeing. Gut health also affects our mental health so getting the gut flora right now is a priority as we go into the flu season and potentially, a resurgence of Covid-19. If you have a healthy gut and, in turn, immune system, you will be able fend off most illness more effectively. From today, start taking one of the following daily:
Kefir
Eat 2-3 dessertspoons of natural Kefir yoghurt first thing in the morning. Kefir is a fermented milk drink and is an excellent probiotic, helping to lay the foundations in which healthy gut flora will thrive. It’s like the soil from which healthy gut flora will grow. It is a unique, living food, containing live enzymes, yeasts and many strains of probiotic bacteria that benefit the digestive tract. It is an excellent source of antioxidants, perfect for a healthy immune system. Yeo Valley Natural is a good quality, easily available brand. If you’re happy to make your own kefir, you can order organic kefir granules and start feeding with organic full fat milk. See below for recommended supplier link.
Kombucha
If you prefer a dairy free option, you might also want to consider taking Kombucha, a fermented drink made from sweetened tea and a specific culture known as a ‘scoby’. Scoby stands for ‘symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts’. The bacteria and yeasts convert the sugar into ethanol and acetic acid. The acetic acid is what gives kombucha its distinctive sour taste. It is an excellent source of probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Sauerkraut & Kimchi
- Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage, made by adding salt to white cabbage but you can also add beetroot, turmeric, cumin seeds, etc.
- Kimchi is also fermented cabbage but with an oriental twist: added carrot, chilli, ginger, garlic, salt, fish sauce and radish. You can buy it in supermarkets or make your own. Serve with eggs at breakfast or mix with salad to get a daily dose.
Sleepability is partnering with a superb UK company whose website is a font of knowledge in all matters fermented! I am in the process of arranging a discount for my subscribers and clients, but meantime, click here for more information. https://happykombucha.co.uk/
Probiotic Supplements
If you want a more convenient option, you can purchase a supplement which will help populate the gut and help your overall immunity. You can order your supplements from the Natural Dispensary via Sleepability and benefit from a 10-15% discount off of their RRP. Contact me for more details.
General Healthy Gut Tips
- Eat a wide range of plant-based foods. A healthy gut has a diverse community of microbes, each of which prefers different foods.
- Eat more fibre - fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts and wholegrains will feed all of your healthy bacteria.
- Avoid highly processed food - they often contain ingredients that either suppress 'good' bacteria or increase 'bad' bacteria.
- Extra virgin olive oil - has the highest number of microbe-friendly polyphenols. Don't cook with it, but drizzle on food after cooking or on salads. Cook with organic rapeseed oil or coconut oil, or a little butter.
- Antibiotics – keep to a minimum and avoid where possible as they wipe out your gut flora. Directly after a course of antibiotics take kefir, kombucha, kimchi/sauerkraut and a supplement to reinstate your gut flora as much as possible. And continue to follow these General Healthy Gut tips.
- Water, water, water! Drink 1.5l pd of filtered water. Try and drink before food and take sips only after food to aid digestion. Too much water with food will put more strain on the delicate acid/alkaline balance required for proper digestion.
Making these simple changes in your daily routine will really help your gut health which will boost your immune system and help with overall health & wellbeing. Moreover, it will help to boost your Melatonin levels so you can sleep better, naturally.
For a complete overhaul of your sleep problem, I welcome you to join my Natural Sleep Journey by subscribing to my Top 7 Tips – Because sleep matters. Contact us at sleepability.co.uk
References
1 https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2020/06/
09/bmjnph-2019-000053. Noonan S, Zaveri M, Macaninch E and Martyn K (2020) Food and Mood: a review of supplementary prebiotic and probiotic interventions in the treatment of anxiety and depression.