Leaky Gut, Leaky Mind; How Our Neurology Suffers When Our Microbiome Does.

CREDIT: CHRISTABEL LOBO

A guest post by my dear friend & colleague: Joseph Trevors, n.d.
CFNC | NEUROCHANGE PRACTITIONER | OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE LEADER

In conversation with a group of Professionals in their individual (yet related) fields earlier this week, I was encouraged and energized to hear each provide snippets of ongoing work projects aimed at helping the individual advance. And yet, as encouraged as I was, I couldn’t help feel that all-too-frequent twinge as each wrapped up a short series of methodologies or practicums for their prospective clients without sharing what I feel is an important missing piece to most of the neuro-coaching (I’ll use as a bit of a ‘catch-all’ for purposes of this article) going on; the connection to the gut.

As both a Practicing Functional Nutrition Counsellor (or ‘root cause guy’) and a Certified NeuroChange Practitioner & Optimal Performance Leadership Coach, I have been witnessing a remarkable (and growing) link between gut health and neurological disorders, and yet, I see that so few in the mindset, neurodiversity coaching, or psychology/psychiatry space are discussing this connection.

Assuming you’re not spending your days scanning studies and publications on this stuff like I am, let me share with you that we now know that the gut and brain are intricately connected through what’s known as the gut-brain axis. If not familiar, the gut-brain axis is essentially a two-way communication network between the gut and the brain, and millions of microbes that inhabit our gut. It involves multiple pathways and systems; including the immune system, the endocrine system, and the nervous system. So how is it we’re not treating BOTH when one or the other is a symptom of whatever is being treated (or coached toward)?

If you proposed to help K-12 students find a connection and welcoming within education that has otherwise struggled to place them, how do you intend to not address the Functional or Lifestyle Medicine aspect of those students’ lives? Have you inquired (at length) both the bio-individuality - as well as the inherent similarities across diagnosis - of the student? Sleep patterns? Nutrition? Activity or exercise? Environment (family life, community, etc.)? Their ability (or lack thereof) to find quiet time or a mindful space of awareness free from stress?

I’ve been challenged on this. “Why is any of THAT important?”, “We can’t control what’s happening at home.”, and in corporate or entrepreneurial coaching: “I’m coaching them on the performance of their minds at work, not worrying about whether or not they’re getting an ‘apple a day’ here.”

Thing is, a growing body of research has continued to find that imbalances in the gut microbiome can lead to a range of neurological disorders, neurodevelopmental diagnosis, and mental health challenges; depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, borderline personality disorder, and Alzheimer's disease and dementia, to name a few. Even the more simplistic ‘forgetfulness’ or ‘brain fog’ in our everyday lives fall into this realm of dysbiosis or upset within our gut.

As an example, one study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that people with depression had significantly lower levels of beneficial gut bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and higher levels of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, compared to the healthy controls of the study.

Another study published in Translational Psychiatry found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had significant alterations in their gut microbiome compared to otherwise typically developing children. That study actually also found a correlation between the severity of the ASD symptoms and the extent of gut microbiome dysbiosis.

And because I can’t get enough of this stuff, a study published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science found that people who took a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium for four weeks experienced a significant reduction in symptoms of depression compared to a placebo group.

I should mention that there is a strong link between gut health and eating habits. Those of us who struggle with mental health or neurological disorders often also struggle with weight and eating habits. And as Kiki often shares, Disordered Eating can have a profound impact on gut health, leading to further imbalances in the microbiome and exacerbating symptoms of mental health or neurological disorders (which is the painful irony, if you will, of the gut-brain axis as we study it further).

Look, I could write for days on this. I mean, we’ve not even touched on serotonin, neurotransmitters and neuroplasticity, or even dopamine! But let’s just agree that while the exact mechanisms by which gut health issues impact neurodevelopmental and mental health issues may not even be fully understood at this point (although I’m encouraged by continued and increased study), safe to say it’s believed that the gut’s microbiome plays a critical role in regulating the this whole gut-brain axis deal. 

It's time for the mindset, neurodiversity, psychology, and psychiatry space to take a more holistic approach to mental health and neurological disorders. By addressing gut health and the gut-brain axis, we can provide more comprehensive and effective treatment options for those who are struggling. By involving those of us in the space specifically trained in it to lend a hand in balancing the mind-body connection from a Functional (‘root cause’) perspective, we’ll not only be allowing people to find true, full health and performance, we’ll be encouraging it.

Let's focus on the root cause of these disorders and work to heal the gut, the brain, and the entire person.

This is where someone like Kiki Athanas, a disordered eating guide and support, can be a crucial part of the healing process. She understands the complexity of the gut-brain connection and the unique challenges that those struggling with mental health or neurological disorders face.

Joseph Trevors, n.d.
CFNC | NEUROCHANGE PRACTITIONER | OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE LEADER

Joe offers a 16-week program in which he provides ongoing support, guidance, and education to help you achieve your health and wellness goals. By combining functional nutrition counseling, lifestyle medicine, genomic analysis, mindset and habit formation, bio-individuality, and customizable meal planning and support, this program will help you unlock your full potential for health and vitality.