The reasons for a disturbed gut-brain connection

A guest article by nutritionist and certified mental trainer Carmen Crepaz

Did you know that our microbiome can have an influence on our mood or, conversely, that our mental state can throw our gut flora out of balance? After all, the majority of the so-called happiness hormone serotonin is produced in the gut. The structure of our gut flora has a great influence on our well-being and mood and can be the cause of mental illnesses such as depression.

The communication between brain and gut

Our gut, with its huge network of nerves, is the largest sensory organ in our body. It has only been known for a few years in microbiome research that the gut and the brain communicate with each other via a so-called gut-brain axis. The vagus nerve is the connection for the exchange of information. Messenger substances produced by certain intestinal bacteria can thus influence our mood. It is thought that changes in gut flora can have long-term effects on mental health. Researchers have found that the microbiome is noticeably altered in people with mental illness. Conversely, people with irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis or Chron’s disease often suffer from anxiety and depression.

The causes of a disturbed gut-brain connection

The causes are probably chronic inflammations, a disturbed gut flora due to an unhealthy one-sided diet or undiscovered food intolerances.

According to current research, stress is one of the strongest stimuli that finds its way to the gut via the vagus nerve and causes unpleasant changes there. Acute stress requires a lot of body energy, whereupon the intestines immediately reduce their digestive work, produce less mucous and reduce intestinal blood flow. Chronic stress often leads to fatigue, exhaustion, loss of appetite, malaise and diarrhoea as well as a weakening of the intestinal walls.

Nutrition, exercise and a positive mindset – three pillars of health by Carmen Crepaz

As a nutritionist and qualified mental trainer, I work primarily with middle-aged women who, in addition to weight problems, often struggle with sleep disorders, depressive states and irritability. These symptoms are typical for the peri-menopause, the years before the actual menopause, and are caused by the change in female hormones. What I notice is that many of these women also complain of bloating, stomach distention and alternating between diarrhoea and constipation.

Unbalanced nutrition, disturbed eating habits, lack of exercise, stress, dissatisfaction and negative thinking can have a strong influence on both hormone balance and our gut, which many women are not aware of. It is therefore important for me to take a closer look at both their hormone status and their gut health together with the women.

myBioma offers me and my clients an optimal service for the analysis of the microbiome. With the help of the findings, I can explain to my client exactly where the weak points in her gut flora are and thus give the right tips regarding a gut-friendly diet and lifestyle. In my holistic counselling, it is important for me to focus not only on the diet itself, but also on the eating behaviour and the way my clients organise their daily lives. Through an optimised diet, mindful eating habits and regular exercise, which should be fun, we can together solve improvements in hormonal symptoms as well as gut problems. Through selected mental techniques, my clients also learn to cope better with stress, daily burdens and negative thoughts and thus build up better resilience.

About Nutritionist and certified mental trainer Carmen Crepaz

My name is Carmen Crepaz, I am 47 years old and live with my husband and two children in Maria Anzbach in the western Wienerwald. I am a nutritionist and qualified mental trainer. In my free time I like to be out in nature hiking, mountain biking and ski touring. As a balance, I also do yoga and sing.

I mainly work with women who have been trapped in the diet spiral for years and finally want to break free from it, as well as women who finally want to do something for themselves and enjoy their midlife with good nutrition, exercise and a positive mindset full of energy and lightness.

My practice is located in Maria Anzbach and I also offer my consultations online via Zoom or Skype. Please contact me for a free initial consultation!

You can find more information on my website or contact me via email: office@carmencrepaz.com