By KAILO Nutritionist, Erin
The short answer is, yes. Stress can have numerous adverse effects on gastrointestinal health, leading to changes in bowel movements and how your gut absorbs nutrients.
Have you noticed how anxiety-inducing situations often lead to tummy troubles?
During periods of chronic stress, elevated stress hormones and heightened central nervous system activity can cause the body to "shut down" digestive processes as part of the fight or flight response.
Digestion is typically activated during rest or relaxation, but stress counteracts this. Consistent stress can lead to neglected digestion, potentially resulting in various gastrointestinal issues. And let's not forget about the Mind-Gut connection, a topic for another discussion...
What can you do to alleviate this?
The best advice is to eliminate the stressor itself, but that's not always feasible. Here are some more achievable solutions
1. Practice stress-relieving methods: Find activities that help you relax, such as meditation, taking warm baths, or going for a walk outdoors. Reducing even a fraction of your stress can greatly benefit your overall health.
2. Focus on nourishing your gut. Even when you're not feeling your best, it's crucial to consume gut-nourishing foods and stay hydrated. Ensure you're getting enough servings of vegetables, eating fiber-rich foods, and drinking plenty of water to support your gut health.
3. Consider a gut-supporting supplement like Feel Well. It contains ingredients such as high-dose Collagen peptides, L-glutamine, and Probiotics, all of which are beneficial for improving overall gut health and function. Collagen peptides and L-glutamine help enhance the structural integrity of your gut lining, improving nutrient absorption, while Probiotics play a vital role in optimising your gut microbiota, which can be negatively impacted by stress.
