Bugs Can Help Your Brain Function! (Part 1)

Today’s Topic: Bugs Can Help Your Brain Function

Sounds crazy? It’s true! The key to better brain health, sharper focus, and even a stronger immune system is bacteria—specifically, the beneficial bacteria in your gut.

🚨 The takeaway from today’s podcast:
💡 Probiotics—NOT from supplements, but from real food—help your brain function at its best.

🦠 What Is the Microbiome?

The microbiome is the collection of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes that live in and on your body.

🌍 Think of your body as its own ecosystem, like planet Earth.
✔️ Just like Earth has plants, animals, and organisms working together, your body has a delicate balance of microbes working to keep you alive and healthy.

💡 Here’s the Shocking Truth:

🔹 Your body contains about 100 TRILLION bacteria.
🔹 95% of these bacteria live in your gut.
🔹 Bacterial cells outnumber human cells 10 to 1!
🔹 90% of the cells in your body are NOT human—they are microbes.

🤯 That means most of “you” isn’t actually YOU—you’re more bacteria than human!

💡 So why are we focusing so much on human cells (only 10% of your body) and ignoring the 90% that are microbes?
If we truly want to improve health and longevity, we need to pay attention to the microbiome.

🔬 Are Bacteria Good or Bad?

Many people hear bacteria and immediately think:
❌ “Bacteria cause infections!”
❌ “Bacteria make us sick!”

🚨 But here’s the truth:
✔️ Less than 1% of bacteria in your body are harmful.
✔️ The other 99% of bacteria are your body’s best friends.

💡 Good bacteria help you digest food, absorb nutrients, and even produce vitamins!

🧠 How Bacteria Affect Your Brain

🚨 Want better memory, sharper focus, and less brain fog?
Your gut bacteria directly impact your brain health.

💡 90% of your serotonin (the “feel-good” neurotransmitter) is made in your gut.
✔️ If your gut bacteria are off balance, you may experience depression and anxiety.
✔️ Instead of antidepressants, try eating probiotic-rich foods to improve serotonin levels naturally.

⚡ The Gut-Brain Connection: Why You Need Probiotics

🔬 The gut is sometimes called the “second brain” because of how closely it is connected to the nervous system.
✔️ Your gut bacteria help strengthen the blood-brain barrier, which protects your brain from harmful toxins.
✔️ Probiotics reduce brain inflammation and improve mental clarity.
✔️ A strong gut microbiome helps prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

⚠️ What Happens When Your Gut Is Unhealthy?

🚨 A damaged gut microbiome leads to:
❌ Poor digestion
❌ Nutrient deficiencies
❌ Brain fog & memory loss
❌ Depression & anxiety
❌ Weakened immune system
❌ Increased inflammation
❌ Autoimmune disorders

🤢 Worst of all—Leaky Gut!
🚨 Leaky gut happens when the gut lining becomes too permeable, allowing toxins (even POOP!) to leak into your bloodstream.

💡 Think about it—if your gut is leaking waste into your blood, no wonder you feel like crap!

🔥 How to Restore Your Gut for Optimal Brain Function

1️⃣ Eat More Probiotic-Rich Foods

The best way to restore your gut is by eating foods naturally rich in beneficial bacteria (probiotics).

✔️ Fermented foods are the #1 source of probiotics!
✅ Kimchi (Korean fermented vegetables)
✅ Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage)
✅ Natto (Japanese fermented soybeans)
✅ Miso (fermented soybean paste)
✅ Tempeh (fermented soy product)
✅ Kefir (fermented milk drink)
✅ Yogurt (preferably unsweetened, non-dairy)

🥦 Probiotic foods > Probiotic pills
💊 Pills can help, but real food is more effective and more balanced.

2️⃣ Eat Prebiotic Foods (Feed the Good Bacteria!)

💡 Probiotics need food to survive—that’s where prebiotics come in!

✅ Apples
✅ Bananas
✅ Onions & Garlic
✅ Asparagus
✅ Leeks
✅ Chicory Root

🚨 Avoid processed sugar and junk food—they feed BAD bacteria!

3️⃣ Manage Stress (Your Gut Feels Your Emotions!)

🚨 Stress suppresses good bacteria and allows bad bacteria to take over.
✔️ Practice deep breathing, meditation, or prayer.
✔️ Get at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep.
✔️ Exercise daily to keep your gut AND brain healthy.

❌ The Problem with Probiotic Supplements (And How to Use Them Right!)

🚨 Warning: Taking the same probiotic supplement for too long can cause an imbalance.

✔️ If you take probiotics, rotate different strains every month.
✔️ Stick with the same brand for a while, but switch up the bacteria strains to avoid overgrowth.
✔️ Look for probiotics with multiple strains, not just one or two.

💊 Probiotic supplements should be secondary to real food!

💡 Final Takeaways: Your Gut Controls Your Brain!

✅ 90% of your body’s cells are bacteria—you need to take care of them.
✅ A healthy gut = a healthy brain, stronger immunity, and better energy.
✅ Fermented foods are the best source of probiotics.
✅ Managing stress and eating whole foods will keep your gut balanced.
✅ Fixing your gut can improve depression, anxiety, brain fog, and memory loss.

🚀 Want better brain function? Start with your gut!

Sincerely,

Jimmy Yen, Acu Sensei