Those early days of motherhood can be the headiest combination of bliss, immense pain, extreme joy, low mood, love, exhaustion and anxiety. During your pregnancy, all eyes are on you and your health. People really seem to care how YOU feel, what YOU are eating, and if they can do anything for YOU. Once the baby is born, at a time when many women need the most support of all, unfortunately the attention often shifts to the baby. “Is the baby drinking enough? How’s his latch? Has she put on the right amount of weight? Is he sleeping ok?” Meanwhile, the mum can be left exhausted, anxious, and overwhelmed.

What is a healthy gut?

When we talk about a healthy gut, many people assume we’re talking purely about digestion, but there is so much more to gut health than this! The human gut microbiome consists of trillions of microbes and these play a massive role in multiple aspects of human health, including immune function, mental health, digestion and absorption of nutrients, and more.

We have always known that what we eat can have an immediate impact on our mood, but can our diets also impact our mental health a bit further down the track?

Our gut and brain communicate with each other via something called the vagus nerve, using hormone, immune, and neurotransmitter signalling.

In 2018 the first nutritional guidelines to prevent depression were published.

Out of the 34 nutrients that are considered essential for humans, twelve were selected for their role in the prevention and treatment of depressive disorders.

Currently, it takes SEVENTEEN years on average for the results of scientific nutrition studies to be translated into clinical practice. 17 years!! 

Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental health conditions, with great personal and societal costs existing for both. New developments in therapeutic treatments are needed to assist in reducing the burden of these illnesses.

Our diets can impact both the quality, and duration, of our sleep. Melatonin, serotonin, and tryptophan are 3 sleep-related buzz words to remember.

Targeting diet during pregnancy to help reduce risk of mental illness in offspring is a relatively new idea, but the evidence to support it is fascinating, and growing steadily.

Here are five amazing facts about your microbiome.

Being time-poor is the number one reason that people feel like they are not eating as well as they would like to be.

Here are five practical tips to help you nourish your body and mind, so that you have the energy, mental capacity, and physical health to enjoy your life and feel your best!