The relationship between the brain, the gut and the emotions is deep, powerful and in constant interaction.

Our intestine contains approximately 100 million neurons distributed in its own nervous system, the enteric nervous system, which has a function very similar to that of the brain. There are nerve pathways that connect the brain areas related to the immune system, the endocrine system, our thoughts, and the enteric nervous system with each other. The intestine registers emotions, behaves like a sensory organ, and the brain interprets the information it sends accordingly. to our state of mind and our environment It uses neurotransmitters found in both intestine and brain cells as messengers.

  Messages circulate from top to bottom and mostly from bottom to top meaning between the intestine and the brain. This is the intestinal microbiota, a community of microorganisms that reside in the digestive system and promote this close two-way relationship. When this connection is altered, digestive discomfort, allergies, anxiety, or low mood manifest.

What is the microbiota?

A large number of microorganisms inhabit our body, they do so mainly in the intestine and are classified into bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae and protozoa, very small living beings that together are called the microbiota and that function as an organ

The microbiome is the collection of all the microbiota that resides on or within the tissues, the skin and the mouth: it is a community that contains at least 150 times more genes than the human genome.

How do these microorganisms get into our body? We are colonized by bacteria during birth and later, from solid food and from the environment. The microbiota is constituted during the first years of life and after three years it stabilizes until adulthood,

The reality is that we are teeming with microbes, which form microbiomes in our mouths, eyes, lungs, skin, and reproductive systems and have evolved with us since the beginning of human history.

(The skin of an adult has a surface area of between 1.5m2 and 2m2*, while the surface of the unfolded intestinal mucosa is 32m2*.)

 How to feed your microbiome

The microbiomes favorite foods are prebiotics, rich in fiber and polyphenols such as leafy vegetables, artichokes, asparagus, peas, mushrooms, root vegetables, broccoli, figs, blueberries, blackberries, pomegranates, apples, grapes and seeds, among others.

Fermented ones such as kefir, kombucha, olives, sauerkraut or miso, ensure a supply of necessary probiotics.

Another of the bacteria's favorite foods is resistant starch, which is obtained by cooking, cooling, and consuming carbohydrates from rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, legumes, or oats the next day.

Nutrition is one of the most important aspects for the balance and harmony of our microbiome, although it is also a positive and relaxed emotional state. Practices such as conscious breathing, full attention or mindfulness in addition to pleasurable actions benefit intestinal health.

Lion's Mane Mushroom

Adaptogenic mushrooms have amazing qualities that support healthy function in every system, organ, and cell in the body.

The Lion's Mane mushroom, recognized as a protector of the immune system and brain and nervous health, everything indicates that these benefits are also due to its positive effects on the intestinal microbiome since it can increase the amount of beneficial bacteria, in addition to acting as a food prebiotic.

Our  Elixir Focus and Super Clarity contain adaptogenic mushrooms that work to support the well-being of the gut microbiome. A convenient, easy and delicious way to get your daily intake of prebiotics and adaptogens. 

Ref: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(22)00092-5/fulltext

Ref: The Mind-Gut Connection, Ed. Grijalbo / Dr Emeran Mayer

Ref: Cuídate, Ed.Grijalbo  / Xevi Verdaguer