We know that the gut is the second brain. Our gut microbiome rules so much of our energy systems, glucose control, dopamine/serotonin production, our absorption of vital nutrients, hormone function, and much more. So, if that is the case, is willpower physiological or mental? Let's dive in!
We’re all born into different families with different experiences and can develop vastly different via social conditioning. You have the spiritual take depending on your beliefs, where we’re all here to have to overcome different situations, experiences, and hardships. Maybe some people meant to live a different life where they don’t experience the discipline and it’s happening for a reason.
However, if the gut controls a lot of our physiological system that IS controlling the hormones and chemicals in our bodies that produce serotonin and dopamine, and many of the other nutrients that allow us to have reasoning/clear thinking, then who is to say our physiology isn’t the driving force?
We know that insulin resistance happens with an abundance of inflammation and glucose being unable to get into the cell. There are several pathogens that can cause pancreatic dysfunction, heavy metals that will bind to cells causing a depletion in vital minerals that work to control our cells in being able to use glucose properly. This is just one example but there are countless other functions that need to happen at a cellular level in order for the body to produce the energy systems and hormones it needs to properly function. Our bodies require minerals, nutrients, and glucose to be able to enter the cell to use it as an energy source. When our bodies at the cellular level aren’t getting what they need, cravings set in, and our bodies can’t function properly. If we aren't getting glucose and nutrients into the cell to be utilized as energy and fuel, then it isn't just about calories. A calorie deficit drops even more access to the already small availability of energy our bodies need. Aside from a glucose or insulin issue, you don't even have to be insulin resistant for the inflammation in the body to be affecting how you properly absorb nutrients and energy within the body.
Someone could have a certain personality for much of their life and be driven by imbalances at a deeper level and might never know something could be off. Pathogens can be passed between family members, to significant others, and even to babies at birth. Mineral deficiencies will activate or depress our glands driving our systems into different directions. We have scientifically proven that minerals have certain hormonal actions and control much of our glandular system. We have scientifically proven how pathogens affect disease and the estrogenic nature of these pathogens. We know that a compromised gut lining will trigger more stress and inflammation in the body. We can see when digestive markers such as steatocrit and elastase-1 are off which inhibit us from absorbing nutrients correctly and for those nutrients to enter the cell where they can actually be used. There is an actual study done where they assess criminals and found a correlation with toxic heavy metal Lead levels, having a lower IQ, and lower mental reasoning.
So if this is true (which it is), then we have to understand how our internal health plays a key role in our ability to have discipline, our mental health, our mental reasoning, and the biological needs that our body is craving. Many people see it as weakness, but to an extent, it's our bodies in survival mode working to compensate the only way we know how.
I'm not here to give people an out for making poor decisions. Personally I’m someone I would consider to have one of the highest levels of discipline and have been on both ends of the spectrum (no pun intended) with my health…having had the highest levels of discipline playing at a division 1 college level and turning pro in the IFBB, to also having severe imbalances and the worst uncontrollable cravings that led to binge eating. I knew something was off and there was a greater force far beyond my willpower driving it. It never stopped me from feeling guilty and weak, but it did give me a greater insight to ask WHY. My main goal is to get people to look deeper within their systems to find the answers to long time mental blocks that keep them from reaching optimal health. The truth is, at the point where things are off, there isn't one thing that will change your discipline, and you WILL have to make a choice to adhere to a plan that will eventually allow your mental decisions to catch up. But you want to do it in a way that makes sense, not trying the same things over and over again that don't work.
Looking deeper at things such as our gut dysbiosis through a GI-MAP test (more info here) to see what pathogens have taken over our systems, what microbiome imbalances we have, and what areas of our digestive system need support is an amazing way to start to dive in. Assessing our mineral imbalances and heavy metal toxicities is also gives us further insight into how we can support what the cells are doing. Without proper balance of minerals, glands will be repressed or activated and continue to throw the system out of balance on all levels. (more info here). I have many options for combined testing, coaching, and consulting. Feel free to contact me with your personal concerns and let's figure out what the best starting point is for you!
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