Why do so many people with IBS and IBD also struggle with stress, anxiety, or low mood?
If you’re dealing with gut issues and your mental health feels all over the place, you’re not imagining it. There are some very real reasons why this happens, and once you understand them, things start to make a lot more sense.
The gut-brain connection
Your gut and your brain are constantly communicating through what’s known as the gut-brain axis. This communication happens via:
Nerves (especially the vagus nerve)
Hormones and neurotransmitters like serotonin
The immune system and your gut bacteria
What this means in real life is simple…
Your gut and your mood are closely linked.
Your gut is often referred to as your “second brain” because it’s packed with nerves and plays a huge role in how you feel, how you respond to stress, and even how you make decisions.
So when your gut isn’t functioning properly, your mood can take a hit. You might feel more anxious, more reactive, less confident, and more unsure of yourself… especially around food.
Malnourishment and the brain
This is a big one, and it’s often overlooked. If your digestion isn’t working well, your body may struggle to absorb and use the nutrients your brain needs to function properly. And your brain needs proper fuel.
Key nutrients for brain health include:
- Omega 3
- B vitamins
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Choline
- Antioxidants
If these are lacking, it can show up as brain fog, low mood, poor concentration, increased stress, and anxiety. And it’s not always about what you’re eating.
Sometimes it’s about what your body can actually absorb.
On top of that, many people with IBS end up restricting their diet so much that they’re not getting enough variety or nutrients in the first place.
What to do if you’re struggling with gut and mental health If your brain isn’t getting what it needs, everything can feel harder than it should.
Your thoughts feel muddled
Your stress levels rise
Your mood dips
Your focus disappears
So start with the basics.
Look at your diet and ask yourself honestly:
Am I consistently getting the nutrients my body needs?
Am I eating a good balance of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates?
Am I fuelling my body… or just getting by?
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. But small, consistent improvements make a big difference.
A real example
Around 60% of my IBS and IBD clients come to me struggling with anxiety, stress, or low mood… often alongside their gut symptoms.
I recently worked with a lady who came to me completely exhausted and emotionally drained. Her gut symptoms had been ongoing for years, but her mental health had reached the point where it felt like the bigger issue. We worked through her symptoms, her history, and her diet.
What we found was simple but powerful.
She had been avoiding fish for years because her partner didn’t like it, so her diet was lacking in omega 3. She was also low in B vitamins and vitamin D, which is very common here in the UK.
We made a few targeted changes to her diet and supported her with short-term supplements to fill the gaps. Within 14 days, her mood had lifted, her energy had improved, and she felt like herself again. Her relationship improved. Her confidence came back. And she started enjoying cooking again.
And this isn’t unusual. Most people I work with start to feel noticeable changes within the first few weeks when we get the foundations right.
A simple place to start
If your diet is lacking, it may be worth looking at how you’re supporting your body nutritionally. That could be through food, or in some cases, short-term supplementation to help rebalance things more quickly.
You can explore simple, well-balanced options here: Supplements I Trust
Ready to feel more like yourself again?
If you’re struggling with your gut, your energy, or your mood, and you know something isn’t quite right, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Book A Free Gut Health Call and we’ll look at what’s going on and what your next step should be. No pressure. Just clear, practical advice to help you move forward.
About Helen Jane
Helen Jane is a qualified Nutritional Therapist and IBS Coach with over 10 years of experience helping people reduce IBS, bloating, food intolerances, digestive discomfort, and low energy through practical nutrition and lifestyle changes. As founder of Your IBS Freedom, she specialises in helping people improve gut health naturally using food as medicine – without restrictive fad diets or unnecessary overwhelm, supporting clients across the UK, Europe, and the USA. Read client success stories and reviews here: My Reviews
Disclaimer
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your GP or healthcare professional.