Page 41 - Tropic Magazine Issue 18

TR
TROPIC • HEALTHOPIC • HEALTH
Mind-blowing

ADVICE
Tropic health columnist Dr. Alexandra Bernhardi explores the fascinating
research into the gut-brain-connection.
I have just returned from a three- How can you use this
day symposium in Sydney, where knowledge to improve your 5. If you are concerned about your
international scientists presented personal health? mental or cognitive health, consider
the latest research into the gut- involving a nutritionist and optimise
brain-connection. It was a lot of 1. A healthy brain needs healthy gut vitamins and nutrient intake. This
biochemistry but the essence is very bacteria and healthy gut bacteria can often reduce symptoms and can
exciting and a paradigm shift in needs healthy food. Most vegetables help already established medication
the approach of disease treatment. (especially raw or steamed) have to be more effective.
The gut-brain-connection refers to some sort of fibre, called “prebiotic”.
the different pathways over which Eat at least 5 serves daily. 6. Don’t buy loads of probiotic
the gut and its trillions of bacteria supplements for ongoing use;
communicates with the brain 2. Try to have a small amount of a specific probiotics have specific
and vice versa. Many conditions - “probiotic” food every day - this is functions and should be taken on the
previously thought to be a problem fermented food that contains some advice of a health professional.
mainly associated with the brain of the good healthy bowel bacteria. A lot is still to be discovered and we
- seem to be linked to a problem Examples include sauerkraut, plain don’t have all the answers yet. But
within the digestive system. yoghurt, kimchi, and kombucha. accepting that there is not one magic
In reverse, it also means that if 3. Bowel bacteria considered “good” pill to fix a disease certainly leads us
you are suffering from any sort are a sensitive bunch. They do not in the right direction - at least in my
of abdominal symptoms, you like processed food, lack of sleep, opinion.
might experience your brain not stress, extreme noise and heat,
being able to work at its best. This pesticides and some prescription and Best regards,
understanding opens a door to a over-the-counter medication.
much broader and personalised Dr Alex
treatment approach, where we can 4. Don’t ignore your gut or your “gut
treat symptoms and root causes at feeling”. Consider the gut to be an MORE: doctoralex.com.au
the same time. extension of your brain.

HEALTH NEWS

TOP MARKS BRAIN THERAPY

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Wuchopperen Health Service
and Health Service has become has teamed up with James Cook
the first Australian health University to offer a rehabilitation
service to meet new patient care service for Aboriginal and Torres
guidelines. It scored full marks Strait Islander people who’ve had
a stroke or brain injury. The eight-
when assessed against the second week program addresses difficulties
edition of the National Safety and with speech, memory and problem
Quality Health Service standards. solving.

41 • tropicnow.com.au