5: Understanding The Gut-Brain Connection With The Functional Nutritionist Lulu Alarmeli

In this conversation, Lulu Alarmali, a Functional Nutritionist and gut health specialist, discusses the importance of gut health and its impact on overall well-being. She explains the difference between conventional medicine and functional medicine, highlighting the comprehensive approach of functional medicine in treating the root cause of health issues.

Lulu emphasises the role of food in gut health and how it can either promote a healthy gut microbiome or contribute to inflammation and imbalances. She also explores the gut-brain-axis and the connection between gut health and mental health, explaining how gut inflammation can affect brain function and mood, but also how stress and negative thoughts can impact gut health.

Lulu addresses the impact of gut health on sleep, highlighting the importance of a healthy gut microbiome for quality sleep. The conversation explores the impact of gut inflammation on cortisol and sleep, the importance of sleep and recommended hours, the connection between cortisol, stress, and weight gain, the effects of belly fat and estrogen dominance.

We explore the body positivity movement and its health implications, understanding skinny fat and the importance of muscle mass, the impact of snacking or "grazing" on gut health, and tips for starting a gut health journey.

In this conversation, Lulu discusses the importance of a diverse gut microbiome and the positive impact of exercise on the microbiome and overall health. She emphasises the need to cycle probiotics and shares a study that shows a positive improvement in microbial balance after exercise. Lulu also mentions the connection between exercise, movement, mental health, and serotonin levels.

Lulu's Links:

Lulu’s Instagram: @thefunctionalnutritionist https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalnutritionist/?hl=en

Lulu’s Website: https://www.thefunctionalnutritionistkw.com/

Alya's Links

Instagram: @wholesome_practice https://www.instagram.com/wholesome_practice/?hl=en

Website: www.alyaalhamad.com