Your Second Brain And The Key To Health And Well-Being

From pre-Columbian to traditional Chinese to Indian Ayurveda, great attention to gut health has already been introduced in the oldest traditions of medicine in the world. This is something confirmed by modern science, since the digestive system is covered with a dense system of nerve cells, connected directly to the brain, it has a great influence on our psychological and physical well-being.

The gut has its own nervous system and communicates back with the brain, influencing each other. Neurotransmitters used in this communication, such as dopamine and serotonin, can also influence our emotions and many of these are also produced by bacteria that live in the gut. In fact, 90% of the feel-good hormone serotonin is produced in the gut! This means that we should take care of the intestine if we want to improve our mood and emotional states.

A primary role in the health of the intestines is played by the gut flora (microbiota) that lives inside. A healthy microbiota, one in which the good bacteria are more active than the bad bacteria, can help the digestive process and the absorption of nutrients as well as help improve the functioning of the immune system.

On top of a healthy and balanced diet and an active lifestyle, for optimal gut health, it is advisable to increase one’s probiotic intake. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines probiotics as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”.

Yakult is a fermented skimmed milk drink, with 20 billion of probiotic bacteria L. casei Shirota (LcS). These LcS bacteria are considered – by scientific experts and scientific studies around the world – safe and good bacteria. Drinking Yakult with its unique LcS helps increase good bacteria.