Food: the Brain-Gut Connection and Supplements I've Found Helpful

I've spent a long time debating how much of my health stuff to share, but the more feedback and gratitude I receive when I talk about it, the more I think I'm probably not as alone in this as I seem, and if I'm doing the research, then someone else probably is, too.  So here's a little about what I'm dealing with and what I've found helps.

Note: I am not a medical professional.  This is my personal story and preference list, and I recommend you speak with a doctor before starting any supplements.

So, the big rocks - are you dealing with any of these?  Migraine?  Endometriosis?  PCOS?  "Undetermined GI issues" (IBD/IBS but also probably something more)?  Food sensitivities?  Perimenopause?

If you are, welcome!  If you are not, maybe you know someone who is.  And to that end I will say, I have no doubt in my mind these are all connected.  The Gut-Brain connection is real, and the Hormone-Gut/Brain connection is also real.  I know because I have tracked symptoms to cycle.  It's never 100% predictable, but there are some tells, like I have cravings and migraines and constipation or diarrhea or nausea at certain points in my cycle.  I even tracked at one point eating the same foods for 3-4 days in a row to see what happens, and based on additional factors (hormones, migraines, etc), I reacted differently to the same foods.  Crazy.  I also know that a GI upset spell can cause a migraine and vice versa.  Actually, at one of my employers I was the unofficial 'resident migraine speaker' for a few years.  So I've dealt with this a while.

And don't forget the less visible stuff: the vitamins, minerals, and blood markers!  These are all also related.

So here are some things I have found helpful.  All food or over the counter supplements.

Managing Anemia:  I've been officially anemic once, and it was severe.  But since then my numbers have always been low, albeit in range, and as I move and change doctors, new doctors aren't interested in prescribing a prescription strength iron supplement, so I've found my own.  They can be harsh on the stomach, and many have dyes in them (which I'm allergic / sensitive to), but I finally found one I love.  Have taken it for a while now.  Really helps.

I also have a folate / B12 deficiency (same story - was deficient, now runs really low) and they suspect I don't convert it well from foods, so I've been on a supplement for most of my adulthood.  I did a chewable for a while and then switched because it turned out my dog has the same issues.  Now I buy the pill that we can both safely take.

Managing Other Markers:  I've had an IV drip for being dehydrated (I didn't even know I was until my labs cam back), and my associated levels often like to dip and swing.  I get really hot in the summer and have a hard time staying cool, and I've finally realized I need help.  

• So I've picked up some Liquid IV.  I know there are other options out there, but this one has real sugar (fake sugar gives me a migraine) and fewer fake ingredients which could trigger me.  So I stick with them.  
  
  
  
• I also take a vitamin D supplement regularly and occasionally add in a Potassium supplement.  It rounds it out nicely. 
  
  
  
  
  
• My most recent doctors also mentioned that if I'm feeling dehydrated to eat a pinch of salt.  It sounded counter intuitive to me, but she said it is often one of the items missing and prompting you to be thirsty. 

Migraines and GI issues:  Here is the tricky one.  Since one affects the other, it's challenging for me to split this out, so I'm lumping them together.  

• I use Magnesium to help with migraines but I take half a dose.  I also take a complex because there are many varieties of magnesium and they'll beneficial for different things, and I don't want to choose.  The complex provides the variety.  It also helps with muscle aches, too.  Win-win.
  
  
  
• I use a probiotic recommended by my GI doctor because it has a high potency of many of the things he said I should have.  It also doesn't have everything, so I supplement with Arbonne prebiotic and probiotics as well.  (PS - if you want to try the Arbonne one and need a consultant to connect with, lmk.  Email me at Stephanie.truthsc@gmail.com) 
  
  
  
• I have a stool softener just in case.  I genuinely dislike them so I avoid them unless I'm really struggling and constipated and it's been more than 24-36 hours.
• Ginger and Turmeric tea - I was given this at a spa and never looked back.  Bought a one year's supply right away.  I have found that if I drink it regularly it helps the GI swings be a little more stable.  I tend to drink it at night.
  
  
  
• Hot lemon water - I have started swapping out my first cup of (decaf) coffee in the morning for hot lemon water.  It doesn't wake up the GI tract quite as effectively, so I still have coffee, but it does help put something less acidic into my system first, and I've found it helps ease me into the day.  Likely never going back.
• Avoiding raw vegetables or vegetables that aren't essentially 'over' cooked and sort of mushy.  My stomach just has a hard time breaking it all down, so I have found that the more it's already broken down, the easier it is.  I know many of you are saying "but that takes away so many nutrients!" and it does.  I do miss my salads, but I have found that I've come to love green drinks and other juiced versions of my fruits and vegetables.  And if I do eat vegetables, I try to keep them to a minimum in one sitting so as to not overwhelm my system.  If you do need a green drink, I love Suja.
  
  
  

If you're struggling with issues, I encourage you to talk to your doctors.  Plural. Get opinions from lots of folks - traditional western and eastern medicine.  Share your blood work results.  Get them updated yearly.  No two people are the same, so getting a sense of what might help and then using their help to put a plan together for you could be beneficial. 

Still haven't figured out the migraines or the perimenopause yet...but I'm working on it!