Craving and Gut Microbes

There is nothing wrong in enjoying some food. It is a type of pleasure. But, if you have a type of craving which plays a major role, it is worth understanding its roots. This post may not make much sense if you accept that craving too as a part of conditioning or as a part of human limitation. But if you have a desire to be free of cravings and then enjoy the food, this post might give you some interesting leads to explore. Also, it is worth, enjoying the taste without craving. They are different and you shall know when you experience it.

So, what causes the craving? There might be many reasons. I dont claim to understand every root of it. I am going to focus on one reason which is the gut microbe-human mind connection. If you are aware, there are a lot of microbes in your gut which do a lot of important processes for processing what you eat. Many of the metabolites of these microbes are very much valuable for your body. Take for example serotonin which plays a major role in your mood (maintains a good mode). Some scientific studies claims that major proportion of it is produced by gut microbes. The science of gut microbes is coming to light as a mode of treatment for many diseases. So, just do your research and you shall find a lot of information on that.

With a different food, you can change the type of gut microbe that dominates your system and change your mood and how your body functions. Explore prebiotics (these are the foods that the gut microbe is dependent upon - usually fiber, resistant starch, etc.. may be even undigested food). You can also explore probiotics (these are actual live microbes - supplements, curd, fermented food, etc..).

Coming back to craving, these microbes play a major role. They can communicate with your brain (explore gut-brain axis). Usually, it is difficult to fast for the first few days. Then, the cravings disappear.. So, how does this happen. Most of your gut microbes does not get a continuous supply of new food.. and also your bowels move and gets most of the microbes out as poop. See, how a simple process of fasting brings a drastic change in how you respond to food. You shall also find a lot of changes in how you react in a given situation which you have to explore and experiment. So, give a try to fasting (water fast) now and then, depending on what your comfort level is, initially. It can be once a week for a day, 2 days in a week, etc.. see the changes it brings in your mind and body. Fasting brings change, not just because of gut microbes, but also due to detox and general cleansing of body. But, as far as the craving is concerned, I feel the gut microbes might play a major role. After a few days of the fast you might feel yourselves like a new being. Also, kindly note, if you are completely new to fasting, the detox phase you might enter may not be very comfortable. But, you have to face the monster sometime or the other.. :) Happy experiments.