Back To Basics – Gut Health<>Mental Health
By Lisa Shanken
July 18, 2023
Sometimes it’s important to get back to basics and revisit the foundational elements of our work. Recently, I read a great article that did exactly this by explaining why the gut has a tremendous impact on the rest of our body.
This article, published in National Geographic, does an excellent job of providing the science behind the gut’s importance, in a very digestible way (all puns intended :-)). If you have any interest in improving and/or preserving the health of your body, this article is a must-read!
Some of the highlights worth emphasizing include:
- The gut is its own microbiome that is essential to your health and it is similar to its own “mini-ecosystem,” hosting a community of trillions of microorganisms.
- The microorganisms (aka microbiota) in the gut help breakdown, digest, and process the foods we eat, but an imbalance of these microbiota can lead to various health problems like Diabetes, mood and mental health disorders, and neurodegenerative illnesses such as Parkinson’s, Autism, and Alzheimer’s.
- A “balanced” gut looks slightly different for everyone, so there is no one size fits all formula.
- The gut provides 90-95% of the body’s serotonin, which affects mood, sleep, and digestion.
- The microbiota in the gut are like a self-contained “pharmacy,” that get absorbed into our blood
- The gut has its own nervous system, “aka the enteric nervous system,” and can function independently of our brain.
- What you eat and how you treat your body directly impacts your gut microbiome
Read the article to also learn how to maintain and/or improve the health of your gut, which leads to improved mental, physical, and overall health!
Lisa Shanken
My passion is to help you live your healthiest and most harmonious life, but in a way that’s realistic and practical for you as a unique individual on this planet. My philosophy is all about “balance,” never a diet since a diet is not sustainable for life, aka Kill The Diet.
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Lisa’s weight loss plan really gave me a new insight to healthy eating and living. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2015. Healthy living/easting/exercise has become very important to me and my family and this program really helped me get even more on the course with this and helped me lose weight.
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When I heard about the 10 Day Weight Loss Challenge, I wasn’t sure if it would be a good fit, since as a physician, I understand nutrition and health (and therefore knew the dangers of fad diets, etc…), and I do my best to exercise (though not always enough). But as a single mother of 2, it’s still very challenging ti “fit in all in” (including cooking healthy meals for my children) due to my busy schedule. And when my time is short, bad habits crop up and weight gain follows.
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Psychiatrist
Lisa has made an enormous contribution to my health and strength. I have seen and felt the most fantastic changes in an amazingly short time.
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I just wanted to say you were amazing through this 10 day process! I learned so much from you! You were very thorough in all areas of the challenge and got back to us in such a quick manner with our questions. It was a great jump start into a more healthy life style that’s for sure!
Colby E, Boulder, Colorado
I LOVE the recipes, simple, few ingredients, appealing. I like the idea of using the list of staples you provided when i was tempted to cheat!
Phyliss S, Spring House, PA
I worked with Lisa to develop a holistic wellness plan that has allowed personal growth without having to completely change my lifestyle. Her programs are designed around your personal needs, so I always feel like I've gotten the most from my sessions and leave with manageable goals. Lisa's three-prong approach to wellness (fitness, nutrition and health) is helping me live a balanced and grateful life.
Ali S., Boulder, CO
I’ve been through the ringer with different dieting plans through the years. Some helped me lose weight and some didn’t – but it didn’t matter because I would always gain it back. I didn’t know if this 10 day Weight Loss Challenge would be the answer since everyone says they have the “BEST” way to lose weight. But this one seemed to be more doable – like instead of starving myself, keeping track of calories (“been there done that – VERY annoying!”) and things I know I wouldn’t stick to.
Jill W, Park, NY
Lisa, you have been a very positive role model for me! Through the exercise and diet I’m becoming healthy and more positive about my life!!! Thanks!
