Wade Lightheart, a co-founder of BiOptimizers, talks about the connection between digestive system and cognitive function. Wade is a 3-time All Natural USA National Bodybuilding Champion and Director of Education at BiOptimizers Nutrition.
Read the other posts in Wade's series on Gut Health and Optimal Brain Performance
We can optimise our brain by boosting digestion. Gut bacteria produce and respond to the same neurotransmitters and chemicals. Without the symbiotic relationship between these guys, you are not going to be able to produce things like GABA, serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine and melatonin.
All of these are chemicals and neurotransmitters that regulate mood and cognition are dependent on the bacteria, the microflora, the diet that one has, and the ability of bacteria to feed the brain.
Much of the feedback received by the brain from the gastrointestinal tract is mediated by peptides released in the gut in response to the presence of nutrients.
Our team at BiOptimizers has PhDs in the field of biofilm and bacteria who are testing different types of fats, carbs, and foods to understand how they interact with the microbiome, because optimising the gut is absolutely essential to brain performance.
If you want to boost your digestion and your gut, particularly there are some specific probiotic strains that are going to have a nootropic effect. For instance:
Many people who struggle with cognition and performance are often lacking in some of these bacteria strains. A part of my own strategy was to recognise that my diet, which I was previously on, wasn’t supportive of these bacteria. I needed to add some of these cognition supporting probiotics, which also have given me a boost in neurotransmitters.
Next, there are proteolytic probiotics, that literally break down, digest and absorb protein. These can also enhance brain health. These can be a game changer. I have a lot of testimonials of people that have found extraordinary results by adding a proteolytic probiotic into their body.
What you need to do is to improve your microflora and boost proteolysis, which is essentially just converting protein into the amino acids and ultimately to the polypeptide chains that make neurotransmitters in your body.
You need to stimulate your digestive protease peptidase through bio activating bile, and also using things like hydrochloric acid. You need to be able to release exosomes, which are involved in the digestive proteins.
Ultimately, anything that boosts the absorption of peptides and amino acids is going to be a plus for your brain health and function.
Now, we need some practical applications. Try these 5 steps for a definitive effect on your cognitive performance.
While for some winter is a magical holiday time, most of us dread the colder months. Fewer daylight hours and chilly weather often make us feel lethargic, hungrier than usual and even downright depressed.
In this post, Christian Baker, a professional speaker and nutritional specialist, talks about behavioural changes people may experience during the winter and offers 5 effective strategies that help stay energised and get back on track during the cold season.
SnakeWater is the latest sports performance drink from KetoneAid, the maker of KE1 and KE4 Ketone Esters. But what makes it so powerful?
In this post, KetoneAid founder and CEO, Frank Llosa, and pharmacist formulator, James Hughes go in-depth covering each and every KetoneAid SnakeWater ingredient to explain the science behind each compound and its effect on the human body.
Frank and James also talk about the main benefits of KetoneAid SnakeWater for keto and non-keto athletes as well as debunk some myths about using such ingredients as Taurine and Niacin.
We've all heard the saying: “You are what you eat”, but what exactly does it mean? How does the food we consume affect our gut health, digestion and overall quality of life?
Toby Yo, a personal trainer, entrepreneur, host of the Lifestyle Journey podcast and Australian biohacker, talks about how healthy dietary patterns have helped him not only improve digestion and gut health but also treat acne and relieve hay fever. He also shares multiple gut optimisation tips he learned along the way.
