Personality shapes our world, influences our health, friendships and how we deal with stress. While it is roughly 50% heritable in human population, environmental factors also contribute to our personality. Besides our external factors, the field of microbiome is revealing ways that our “inside environment” can affect or digestion, immunity, metabolism and even your behavior. The number of microbial cells in our body is roughly equal to our own human cells, and most of these live in the gut and are referred to as the gut microbiome. Together, these microbes can weight as much as 2-5 pounds and function as an extra organ in your body and play a big role in your health. Along with aiding in immune system and digestion, new research shows evidence that gut microbiome interacts with the central nervous system which can have an effect on depression, stress response, anxiety, and social behavior and communication.
Creatives are often susceptible to the emotional rollercoaster that comes with creating. Checking in with our microbiome can be a great way to stay in control of our health. Eating a diverse range of foods including fermented foods is a great way to create a diverse microbiome. Limit intake of artificial sweeteners, since these stimulate the growth of unhealthy bacteria. Eat prebiotic foods like artichokes, bananas, asparagus and apples. Plant based foods and foods rich in polyphenols like olive oil, green tea, whole grains, and dark chocolate are also broken down by microbiome to stimulate healthy bacterial growth.
To learn more about microbiomes and your health as a creative, check out our next Creative Community General Meeting with presenter Suzanne Granstrom. If you haven’t been a guest before, sign up here.