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Don’t you just love a good infographic?

This one shows the mounting research that suggests the bacteria living in our gut can play a significant role in our overall health.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go beyond the infographic though?

That's exactly what happened to me when I donned my special research specs and did a "Sherlock Holmes" into some of the research currently out there in cyberspace.

I've looked into each area of the brain and body on the graphic to see how gut bacteria may exert an influence over almost every aspect of our health.

Did you know that it’s estimated that our bodies are composed of ten times more bacteria than human cells, with the gut being home to the largest number of bacteria in the body?

It seems that each day there’s a new study emerging showing just how crucial a role the bacteria living in our digestive tract has on influencing our overall health and wellbeing.

Several not only physical, but also psychological, conditions have been linked to an imbalance in our gut flora, with many of our diets comprising of processed, high-sugar and nutrient-poor foods, it’s not hard to see why.  

Anxiety & Depression

In 2014, the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health spent over $1 million on new research aimed at better understanding the gut bacteria-brain link. Recently, evidence has mounted from studies in mice that the gut micro biome can influence neural development, brain chemistry and a wide range of behaviors, including emotional behavior, pain perception and how the stress system responds.

Mice found to be lacking a certain bacteria in their gut were actually found to be more anxious and less animated, exhibiting depressive-like symptoms.

If you have been struggling with anxiety and depression, speaking with a licensed therapist (like those at BetterHelp) or a naturopathic doctor in Phoenix can also help you improve your mood levels.

Diet also plays an important part. Some foods make us feel calmer while other foods can act as stimulants. Tryptophan can have a positive effect on stress and depression because this amino acid helps your brain produce feel-good chemicals (such as the neurotransmitter Serotonin), making you feel calmer and improving mood levels.

Tryptophan-rich foods may also improve sleep, thereby promoting overall mental wellbeing. Some tryptophan-rich foods include: turkey, chicken, bananas, milk, oats, cheese, soy, nuts, peanut butter, and sesame seeds. Click here to get the recipe for my tryptophan-rich Garlic & Rosemary Chicken

Parkinson’s

Many neurologists now believe that Parkinson’s disease may start in the gut.

Specifically, untreated Helicobacter Pylori (a type of bacteria that, if left untreated, can live in the gut and cause a range of complications such as ulcers in the stomach lining) has been linked to later development of Parkinson’s disease, although conclusive evidence is lacking.

Helicobacter Pylori may also affect the absorption of Parkinson’s disease medications, and consequently affect the overall response to treatment.

There are also many gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation that occur as prominent features of Parkinson’s disease. Including foods high in dietary fibre, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is important in the overall treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

As medications for Parkinson’s often cause nausea, it may also be wise to incorporate foods known to reduce symptoms of nausea, such as ginger, tonic water and high protein snacks before bedtime. Try my high protein, Baked Salmon with Garlic and Ginger recipe. It’s high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which is great for brain health too.

Obesity

New evidence exists suggesting that gut bacteria alter the way we store fat, and how we respond to hormones that make us feel full or hungry. It appears that the wrong mix of microbes may set the stage for obesity and diabetes from birth.

Researchers are now investigating ways in which they may create baby formulas and/or supplements that will promote virtuous microbes while suppressing the harmful types.

When promoting healthy gut bacteria, it’s important to eat a clean diet that includes minimal amounts of processed foods, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and fermented foods such as kim chi, tamari, tempeh, yoghurt and sauerkraut.

Drinking plenty of water and remaining hydrated is also important; as this helps the body flush out any toxins. Green Juices are an excellent way to detox while hydrating the body, and ensuring you are still getting plenty of nutrients. (more…)

Looking for a supercharged pick me up? If you're tired of reaching into your handbag and finding the same old ho hum snack you'll love this one.

It's a quick fix recipe to help you mix things up a little. It’s full of good fats and B vitamins so your body and mind will love it too.

This recipe can be whipped up quickly and stored in an airtight container for weeks, allowing you to prepare a big batch and work your way through it at your own pace.

It's a wonderfully healthy snack option to have on hand to tide you over when you the low energy lull hits.

I hope that you'll include it into your day and use it as recharging pick-me-up.

Tamari Nibble Mix

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 160 g (51/2 oz/1 cup) almonds
• 155 g (51/2 oz/1 cup) raw cashew nuts
• 75 g (21/2 oz/1/2 cup) pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• 75 g (21/2 oz/1/2 cup) sunflower seeds
• 3 tablespoons wheat-free tamari
• 90 g (31/4 oz) additive-free brown rice crackers, broken into bite-sized pieces

Method

• Preheat the oven to 160°c (315°F/gas 2–3) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
• Place the nuts and seeds in a bowl and mix to combine.
• Pour over the tamari, and mix so the seeds are well coated.
• Transfer to the baking tray and cook in the oven for
 25 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and cool.
• Add the rice crackers before serving.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks until ready to bag.

Native Box was founded by two young health and nature conscious Australians who craved easy access to affordable eco-friendly, natural and organic products.

The way Native Box works is that you sign up for a monthly box of eco goodies, varying between natural personal care, food, lifestyle, household and cleaning items. These arrive in either a sample or a full size.

The Native Box team get together to curate a box of healthier and safer alternatives to conventional household and kitchen products that are all 100% Australian owned. Once they’ve searched high and low for a variety of products the native box is born, packaged and delivered directly to your door.

Boxes start at $19.95 a month and you can sign up for one, three, six or twelve months. You can also give a Native Box as a great gift for someone’s birthday, to say thank you or to spread the Native Box love!

There is also a beauty box that can be delivered to your door with some fantastic natural skin care products and cosmetics. Every month you’re provided with a random assortment of new and emerging products in the market that will not leave a mark on the environment or cause an array of unknown consequences on your body and skin.

If you like a product they send to you, you can then visit their online store to buy some of your favourite natural products. If you’re interested visit their website and also enter the latest Supercharged competition to win one of three amazing Nature Box prize packs.

Give your mum the day off this Mother’s Day! Why not indulge her in a delicious homemade food all day eating affair?

Here's a sample menu with recipes below to get you started.

Mother's Day Menu

Make ahead breakfast in bed ideas

Strawberry Granita

Wow your mum with a hand made granita. As the granita starts to melt, it becomes slushy and the texture, coupled with the flavour of the berries, is out of this world. She will love it.  Find the recipe here.

Chai Chia Breakfast Pudding

Put mum in a happy morning mood with a breakfast porridge full of vitamins, essential fatty acids and an exotic blend of chai spices, this pudding will fill her with joy.  Find the recipe here.

Lunch or Dinner Idea

Seven Minute One Pan Salmon with Greens

A quick lunch preparation means you can get on with spending time together and less time dawdling in the kitchen. This dish will give mum a much needed energy boost and the good fats in the salmon and olive oil will help her body absorb beneficial iron from the spinach.  Find the recipe here.

Make Ahead Dessert Ideas

Cauliflower and Raspberry Cheesecake

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Today I'm introducing a couple of my favourite smoothie recipes to brighten up your breakfast.  I created them especially for the Kenwood kCook multi-cooker launch breakfast that I hosted recently. 

It was a beautiful morning that was held in Balmoral in Sydney at The Public Dining Room.

The sun was shining and the water was sparkling as guests watched swimmers taking their early morning plunge in the autumn sunshine.  Kids were frolicking in the water and building sandcastles. There was a feeling of excitement in the air.

A crowd gathered with lots of my foodie friends and media who came along.

I got myself included in a super hunk 'manwich'. Not that I am complaining, I can think of worse ways to spend a morning.

Then next up I did a demonstration on two of the new machines, the X pro blender and the kCook which I demonstrated a breakfast bar recipe in.  It was delicious and I'll share this recipe next week on the blog. I used a gluten free muesli, coconut milk, berries and rice malt syrup to make the bars.

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image via pinterest

Most of us are familiar with inflammation on the surface of our bodies which involves local redness, heat, swelling and pain, but there is another kind of inflammation that lingers within our bodies. Inflammation exists within us all and is an extremely powerful, necessary function for our survival. It’s the cornerstone of the body’s healing response; ensuring that appropriate nourishment and adequate immune activity is delivered to an area that is injured or under attack.

However, there’s a darker side to the wonderful healing capabilities of inflammation and because of its gripping, powerful responsiveness, inflammation can be incredibly destructive to your health, particularly when it extends beyond the boundaries of a localised area, or continues for long periods of time.

The body has very complex mechanisms to ensure that inflammation stays where it’s supposed to stay, and ends where it’s supposed to end, but it’s becoming increasingly common that people have persistent inflammation lingering in their bodies. Unlike a normal, healthy inflammatory response, this type of inflammation serves no purpose.

Since the 19^th century, the idea that inflammation is the underlying cause of ageing, and age related illnesses has been studied in depth. Researchers have discovered that complex chemical reactions occur throughout the body in response to inflammation which leads to an overactive immune system.

Over a lifetime, an overactive immune system will contribute to an overproduction of AGE’s, advanced glycation end products, initiating oxidative reactions within cells that will gradually damage organs throughout the body. This type of chronic, low level inflammation is very common and researchers believe it is a contributor in age related diseases including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative illnesses.

Scientists have confirmed that inflammation increases with age, and research conducted in the late 1990s showed that C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory protein, is a very accurate predictor of future heart problems, superseding high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

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