FEATURE: SDA FEATURE TION Notably, research has found that certain gut bacteria produce factors that can block or mimic the actions of serotonin, and as a result, influence mood, similar to those produced in the brain,can produce additionally large appetite and digestion. delivering many of the same functions. amounts of it. Furthermore, we know that antipsychotic drugs work by blocking When you eat food… your gut nerves dopamine, and that anti-nausea drugs are stimulated, triggering digestive also act on dopamine, tying the gut-mind muscles to contract and move food link even tighter. This article features in Sports along (aka G.I motility). At the same time Dietitians Australia’s (SDA) neurotransmitters released from the Serotonin, another crucial November issue of ReFuel. For gut send messages back and forth to neurotransmitter that regulates mood, more information on how to find the brain, in turn regulating appetite,sleep, appetite, food digestion and G.I a SDA accredited dietitian, or for feelings of fullness, as well as G.I motility.motility, is also definitively tied to themore fantastic content on sports gut, with virtually all of it (/home/webapps/asp_au/data/asp/publications/au-sports-medecine-australia/publications/sport-health-vol-36-issue-2-v590%) beingnutrition, visit: https://www. WE ARE MORE THAN HUMAN made in the gut. Research shows that sportsdietitians.com.au/ a deficiency in serotonin is associated The human gut contains up to 3kg of with depression and in relation, bacteria and collectively they outnumbercommonly used anti-depressant our body cells by 10 to 1. There are medications often result in side literally trillions of them, with hundredseffects in the gut. of different species. Fortunately most ABOUT THE AUTHOR live in harmony with us, providing Notably, research has found that certain Josh Reed is a benefits such as assisting digestion gut bacteria produce factors that can Consultant Dietitian, PT and strengthening our immune function. block or mimic the actions of serotonin, and health writer based Conversely, some species, or lack of, and as a result, influence mood, appetitein Byron Bay. He specialises in gut have been linked to undesirable effectsand digestion. This may be the reason health, plant-based nutrition and like food cravings, mental health issues50 to 90% of people with IBS also suffer sports nutrition. For more and even obesity. mental health conditions. It might also information about Josh, follow be the reason behind our food cravings here: www.joshkreed.com | DIGEST THIS… and increased appetite, as evidence Twitter @joshkreed shows that both of these can be reduced Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that via changing our gut bacteria diversity. helps control the brains pleasure centre, as well as affects our appetite and And so, you are more than what you emotions. Notably, /home/webapps/asp_au/data/asp/publications/au-sports-medecine-australia/publications/sport-health-vol-36-issue-2-v550% of our eat, you are what you digest, absorb, dopamine is produced in the gut, ferment and cultivate in that gut and evidence shows that gut bacteria of yours. VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 2 2018 47 yduRegroeG/segamiytteg