FROM STRESS TO SEROTONIN

How Gut Health Shapes Mood and Immunity

- By Anshu Bahanda

Until a few years ago, I thought I understood gut health. I knew it mattered, I knew it had something to do with digestion, but I never connected it to how clear my mind felt during the day, how deeply I slept at night, or why my energy seemed to dip without warning. It wasn't until I sat down with Ashley Koff, registered dietitian, integrative nutritionist, and author of the upcoming book, Your Best Shot: The Personalized System for Optimal Weight Health-GLP-1 Shot or Not, that my understanding of the gut shifted from a narrow concept to something far more central to everyday wellbeing. I realised how much I had been compartmentalising my health. Our gut does not operate in isolation. It influences how we absorb nutrients, how we respond to stress, how our hormones behave, and even how well we feel emotionally.

Something I understand much more clearly now is that the gut does far more than handle digestion. It acts as the body’s support system, making sure nutrients are absorbed and used where they're needed. When that process isn’t smooth, it tends to show up in surprising ways, such as mood changes, low energy, skin issues, or a dip in immunity. Science supports this idea.