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Microbes and motivation: Is your gut holding you back?
When you think about motivation, you probably usually blame willpower, sleep, stress, or mental health. But there’s another powerful player most people overlook: your gut.
Inside your digestive system lives a vast ecosystem of microbes known as the microbiome — and these trillions of bacteria don’t just help you digest food. They also influence how you think, feel, and even how driven you are.
Let’s break it down…
Your gut is more than a digestive organ
For many people, the gut is simply where food gets broken down and nutrients are absorbed. While that’s true, it’s only part of the story.
Your gut and brain are connected through the gut-brain axis; a complex communication network involving nerves, hormones and signals. Your microbes communicate by producing neurotransmitters and chemical messengers, such as serotonin and dopamine, both of which play key roles in mood, focus, stress resilience, and motivation.
In fact, around 90% of the body’s serotonin, often referred to as the “feel-good” hormone, is produced in the gut,1https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7659911/so a healthy gut really can support a happier, more motivated mind!
When things tip out of balance
So what happens when your gut microbiome becomes imbalanced? This imbalance, known as dysbiosis, can disrupt communication along the gut-brain axis. When that happens you may notice:
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Increased stress sensitivity
- Reduced motivation
Gut inflammation can also increase intestinal permeability (sometimes referred to as “leaky gut”), which may contribute to systemic inflammation. When your body is inflamed, your brain often feels it too — making everyday tasks feel heavier and harder to start.
If your motivation has dipped and you can’t quite explain why, your gut health could be part of the picture.
Supporting the gut-brain axis
The good news? You can work with your microbiome to make a difference!
There’s growing evidence showing that fermented foods, such as Kefir, can help positively influence the gut–brain connection. Probiotic-rich foods introduce beneficial bacteria into the gut, while also producing compounds known as postbiotics — beneficial by-products created when microbes ferment fibres. These postbiotics have an anti-inflammatory effect2https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-99-1463-0_9 and support healthy communication between the gut and brain.
If you’re looking to support your microbiome more intentionally, our Gut Health Protocol is designed as a simple, structured starting point.
It includes three core elements:
- Kefir – Our probiotic goat’s milk kefir is packed with 27+ beneficial bacteria strains to re-populate your gut with beneficial bacteria.
- Complete Prebiotic Powder – A blend of 18 naturally-occurring prebiotic fibres designed to feed your gut bugs. This product enhances the effect of your kefir, so we recommend taking the two together!
- Pure Fish Collagen – Supports a healthy, supple gut lining.
We recommend combining these into a daily Gut Health Smoothie — an easy, effective way to nourish your microbiome consistently. Looking for inspiration? Explore our collection of kefir smoothie recipes here.
If you’re struggling with motivation, it’s worth remembering that this isn’t simply about discipline or mindset.
Your body’s internal systems, including your microbiome, play a powerful role in how energised, focused, and driven you feel.
Supporting your gut health may be one of the most overlooked ways to support your motivation.
Need a boost of motivation this winter? Check out Eloise’s article “Winter blues” or biology? Understanding your body’s seasonal shifts.
Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.
References
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