Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

 

Have you ever had that anxious feeling of “butterflies” in your stomach? Or an unsettled “gut feeling” about something?

 

It’s not surprising, really…

 

Because you have a network of 100 million nerve cells embedded in your gut wall. This network is so extensive, it’s been nicknamed the “second brain.” Scientists call it the enteric nervous system.

 

And like the brain, the gut’s enteric nervous system is home to over 30 neurotransmitters, which transmit signals from one nerve cell to another. It may sound surprising, but about 90% of the crucial neurotransmitter serotonin is produced in your gut — not your brain. Serotonin influences mood along with sleep, digestion, and memory. Perhaps you already know that scientists have linked low serotonin levels to depression.

 

The Microbiome and Mental Disorders

The microbiome or community of bacteria and other microbes in your gut exerts a powerful influence on brain health.

 

A 2012 review published in Nature Reviews: Neuroscience Studies suggests that the gut’s microbiome plays a role in regulating anxiety, mood, cognition, and even pain. Since there is a bi-directional pathway between the brain and the gut’s microbiome, an alteration of microbes in the gut has been shown to play a role in several neuropsychiatric disorders. These include anxiety, depression, autism, and schizophrenia, to name a few.

 

A number of studies have shown that people with various psychological disorders have different species of bacteria in their guts compared to healthy people. Because of this, researchers are now admitting you can modulate the gut flora as a therapeutic strategy to help brain and mood disorders.

 

How Your Mental Health Can Benefit From a Complete Detox Protocol

Since the gut has such a powerful effect on both your mental and physical health, our experts recommend a comprehensive detoxification protocol. This is particularly important if you already have a mood disorder such as depression or anxiety — or any chronic condition fueled by unhealthy levels of inflammation or autoimmune overactivity. No matter how healthy your diet or lifestyle may be, your body is challenged daily by an accumulation of parasites, environmental toxins, and wastes that bog down your organs of detoxification and clog up your colon.

 

Giving your organs the gift of a detoxification protocol on a regular basis takes the pressure off them, and allows them to restore to normal. The recommended protocol addresses three factors that impact gut health: parasites, heavy metals, and other toxins, and a waste-filled colon.

 

Let’s Talk About Parasites

Can parasites really cause a mood disorder or mental illness?

 

Well, let me tell you about a common parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It lives in an estimated 10-20% of Americans and was once thought to be harmless. Most people get it by eating undercooked or contaminated meat, shellfish, or water. Since cats are its preferred host, you can also contract the parasite by touching or ingesting anything coming into contact with cat feces. The important thing is that scientists have now found that Toxoplasma gondii is not so harmless after all.

 

A 2012 study appearing in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that people testing positive for this parasite are seven times more likely to attempt  suicide than those who are parasite-free. The Centers for Disease Control (or CDC) warns that millions of Americans live with parasites and don’t even know it.

 

Symptoms are often general, and include things like:

• Digestive issues

• Fatigue or irritability

• Difficulty sleeping

• Headaches

• Allergies or skin rashes

 

Parasites can cause inflammation and over-activation of your gut’s immune system, which can then lead to mood disorders. That’s why our doctors recommend a parasite cleanse when doing a comprehensive detox protocol.

 

Here are some of the supplements they recommend to eliminate parasites from your body:

Mimosa pudica. This plant is well-known for its parasite-fighting properties. It pulls out parasites, toxins, heavy metals, and other unhealthy elements to provide immune and digestive support.

 

Black walnut hull powder. Ancient healers used this nutrient for its health properties. Black walnut contains a compound called juglone, which has been shown to be effective at eliminating parasites from the body.

 

Wormwood herb powder. This natural herb contains compounds such as artemisinin, that help cleanse the body of harmful organisms such as parasites. It also supports liver and digestive health.

 

Triphala powder. This nutrient is used in Ayurvedic healing. It nourishes the digestive tract, supports colon cleansing and detoxification, supports a healthy inflammatory response, and provides important antioxidant benefits.

 

Neem leaf powder. This is another Ayurvedic healing nutrient that supports parasite removal, detoxification, and immune function. It also promotes the health of the GI tract, liver, and skin.  

 

The Role of Heavy Metals in Mental Health

Toxic heavy metals are found in the air we breathe, the food and water we consume, and the houses we live in. They’ve become so pervasive in our environment that it’s no longer a question of whether a person has heavy metals in his or her body. The question is: how much metal toxicity do you have — and how can you eliminate it from your body?

 

Toxic metal exposure can result in a wide array of mental health disorders. Are you familiar with the phrase “mad as a hatter”? In the 19th century, mercury was used to make felt hats. Hat makers breathed in toxic mercury fumes, resulting in depression, irritability, and other “mad” behaviors.

 

Mercury toxicity is still a problem today, especially from mercury-filled fish and dental fillings.

In addition to mercury, many other heavy metals are highly associated with mental illness and mood disorders, including aluminum, cadmium, and lead.

 

Some metal-related neuropsychiatric issues include:

• Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks

• Memory loss and cognitive impairment

• Attention deficit disorder

• Fatigue and irritability

• Aggressive and violent behavior

• Bipolar and obsessive-compulsive disorder

 

In addition, neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, and multiple sclerosis can also be associated with heavy metals. Not surprisingly, heavy metals such as cadmium have been shown to have what researchers called a “profound toxic effect on bacterial microflora” in a mouse study reported in Human & Experimental Toxicology.

 

Fortunately, you can help reduce your body’s toxic load by doing a comprehensive detoxification protocol. Certain nutrients recommended by our doctor team will help remove these heavy metals and other accumulated toxins.

 

Here are just a few:

Silymarin. This compound from the milk thistle plant helps detoxify the liver from heavy metals and other toxins. It’s also an antioxidant so it helps scavenge free radicals that damage your cells and DNA.

 

Humic and Fulvic Acid Powder. These bioactive compounds are deep earth or ancient mineral substances that bond with toxins and heavy metals to remove them from the body.

 

Cordyceps Mushroom. This medicinal mushroom has been used for centuries for its anti-aging benefits. When it comes to detoxification, cordyceps promotes the excretion of toxins — including heavy metals — via the kidneys.

 

Rhodiola Rosea. This herb is used in traditional healing to detoxify the body, increase energy, and offer antioxidant protection. As an adaptogen, it helps respond to any type of stress by bringing the body back to balance.

 

Dandelion Root. Helps cleanse the liver from toxins and provides antioxidant support.

 

What About Accumulated Waste in the Colon?

Obviously, no one can be truly healthy if they have a colon clogged up with wastes

And unfortunately, according to the National Institutes of Health, constipation is a common problem, affecting nearly 1 in 5 Americans, and 1 in 3 of those aged 60 and over. But how can constipation or a clogged colon affect mental health?

 

According to researchers who performed a study reported in the journal Gastroenterology and Hepatology From Bed to Bench…The prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders is much higher in constipated patients compared to the general population.

 

And another Dutch study reported in Psychiatry Journal found that, in those subjects aged 60 and over, all psychiatric diagnoses were strongly associated with an increased incidence of constipation. This is yet one more reason to cleanse the colon of accumulated waste products.

 

Our team of expert doctors recommends a number of nutrients that work in the colon cleansing part of a comprehensive detoxification protocol:

 

Goldenseal root. This herbal remedy contains berberine and other substances that support gastrointestinal health and provide relief of constipation, cramping, and abdominal bloating. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Bentonite. This is a special type of clay that helps remove toxins and accumulated fecal matter in the colon.

 

Cascara sagrada bark. This nutrient is a well-known digestive aid and tonic for constipation.

 

Aloe vera leaf. Aloe vera has been used for centuries to cleanse the colon and help relieve constipation. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory.

 

Buckthorn bark. Buckthorn contains compounds called anthraquinones, which help ease constipation.

 

I hope this article has shown you how closely linked your mental health is to the health of your gut and your microbiome. A high-quality and comprehensive detox can work wonders to restore your overworked organs of detoxification.

 

Make sure to click the banner below to see our exclusive special offer to help you achieve total gut renewal!