In this episode, I share the five pillars of brain health I focus on as a mum and health coach to support mental wellbeing from the root cause.
If you’ve ever worried about your child’s behaviour, emotions, focus, anxiety or mental health, this episode is for you.
Rates of anxiety, ADHD and depression in children are rising faster than ever. Yet most conversations still focus on managing symptoms, labels and medications, not asking why this ishappening in the first place.
In this deeply personal episode, I share the concept that changed everything for me over 12 years ago, when I was diagnosed with 'severe ' depression as a mum. Despite medical treatment, my health continued to deteriorate, until I began looking at my gut, my diet, my lifestyle and inflammation inside my body.
What I didn’t realise at the time was that I was healing my gut and that shift transformed my brain, my mental health, and ultimately my life.
Today, I explain the gut–brain axis; the powerful two-way communication system between the gut and the brain and whyscientists now refer to the gut as the “second brain”.
I also walk you through the 5 pillars of brain health to strengthen mental wellbeing, that have an immediate and long-term impact for the whole family.
In This Episode, We Explore:- What the gut–brain axis is, and how the gut communicates directly with the brain via the nervous and immune systems.
- Early signs of brain inflammation that often appear before diagnoses like anxiety, ADHD or depression.
- The 5 pillars of brain health I now focus on including: nutrition, toxins, stress, sleep and supplements and go into detail for each.
This episode isn’t about fear, perfection, or doing everything at once. It’s about understanding the root cause, reclaiming your confidence as a parent, and knowing where to start.
And know this: it’s never too late or too early to consciously support the brain. Or more accurately… the gut!
Free Live Cooking Event: Supercharge Your Kids’Immunity (SYKI): Learn how to easily increase fibre, diversity and gut-healing foods without battles at the dinner table: https://sharonmselby.com/supercharge-your-kids-immunity
Connect with Sharon:
The Gut Health Course: A 10 hour step-by-step, science-backed program to heal the gut and support brain, immune and mental health: https://sharonmselby.com/the-gut-health-course/
SHE Thrives (Monthly Membership): Ongoing support, education, recipes and expert guidance for women: https://sharonmselby.com/she-thrives/
Free Gut Health Guide + recipe book: https://www.sharonmselby.com
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Join the Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healyourgutwithsharonmselby
Disclaimer: https://sharonmselby.com/podcast-disclaimer/
References & Sources:This episode discusses the gut–brain axis, inflammation, and how gut health influences mental wellbeing and brainfunction. If you’d like to explore the science further, here are some well-established sources that align with the concepts shared:
Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) – Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride: Clinical work exploring the connection between gut health and neurological and mental health conditions. https://www.gaps.me/Brain Health and Inflammation – Dr Daniel Amen: Neuroimaging research demonstrating the role of inflammation and toxicity in brain function. https://www.amenclinics.com/Grain Brain – Dr David Perlmutter: Research linking diet, inflammation and cognitive decline. https://www.drperlmutter.com/book/grain-brain/
New Zealand