Why stress affects women like a bad diet

Do you eat healthy and try to do everything right, but still experience stomach problems and difficulties with your digestion?

If so, don’t pick up the phone to call the doctor just yet…

Those heartburn medications can lead to kidney disease. And, they may not even touch the root of your problem…

You see, a new study out of Brigham Young University is shedding light on the true cause behind many people’s digestion complaints.

And, the problem doesn’t even start in their stomach or even with their diet. That’s because, while we all know that a poor diet is unhealthy, the BYU study found that stress may be just as harmful to our bodies as a really bad diet.

But here’s the big surprise — it’s only true for women.

Your gut bacteria and stress

The researchers took a large group of 8-week-old mice and exposed half of the males and half of the females to a high-fat diet. After 16 weeks, all of the mice were exposed to mild stress over the course of 18 days.

Researchers tested the mice fecal pellets before and after the stress to determine how their gut bacteria were affected. They also measured mouse anxiety based on how much and where the mice traveled in an open field arena.

The researchers found fascinating differences between genders: Male mice on the high-fat diet exhibited more anxiety than females on the high-fat diet, and high-fat males also showed decreased activity in response to stress.

However, the study discovered that when female mice were exposed to stress, their gut microbiota — the microorganisms vital to digestive and metabolic health — changed to look like the mice had been eating a high-fat diet.

According to the researchers, this response of the female gut microbiome to stress could be the missing link to why women suffer higher rates of depression and anxiety.

De-stressing for better digestion

Researchers have long known that your brain sends signals to your gut, which is why stress and other emotions can contribute to your gastrointestinal symptoms. But, studies have also shown that signals travel the opposite way as well, allowing your gut to affect your brain.

This means that if your gut is out of balance, with more bad bacteria than good, psychological symptoms can be the result.

If you’re suffering from poor digestion, depression or anxiety, it could all start with stress and what it does to your gut. That makes finding ways to overcome and better handle the stress in your day-to-day life vital.

Here are a few ways you can beat the stress:

1. Laugh more – Laughter has been shown to lower the levels of stress hormones, so put on a funny movie, have a game night with friends or spend time playing with your kids or grandkids.
2. Exercise – Exercise can melt away stress by elevating the production of mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Take a walk, swim laps, ride your bike or just march in place while watching your favorite TV show.
3. Meditate – Meditation allows you to look inward and relax your muscles one by one. Spend 10 – 15 minutes each day on this stress-busting practice.
4. Turn Off the Computer – Uninterrupted computer use has been associated with stress, lost sleep and depression in women, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Make sure to take frequent breaks during your day of computer use — and try to shut offline at least an hour before bedtime.

But don’t forget the power of a good probiotic. When taken in combination with the stress beaters outlined above, it just might help save your gut and improve your digestion — and your mood.