"90% of Serotonin is produced in the intestine." This should be on billboards across the country.

Quarantine got me wanting to change my life around

Everything you do - Everything you encounter - Everything you experience - ------- is changing your brain --------

I have watched 100 TED talks, including many of the "most downloaded," and I have to say this is my favorite so far. Brilliant speaker, good topic, authentic, no negatives.

All those commends on how cute the guy looks. It's not him, it's his bacteria looking good.

my great grandfather lived till 99 , all he had in dinner was a mango and yogurt based drink we call lassi in India.

This explains why Covid can be so severe for some, and mild for others. Take care of your microbiome and they will take care of you!

This guy is Entertaining, engaging, educated and attractive. I NEED MORE BACTERIA!

This is a just about as perfect a TED Talk as I've seen - Thoughtful, engaging, informative, timely.

Huge implications for mental health. Probiotics and better diets instead of antidepressants!

My doctor did tell me when I came in for depression that the best long term treatment is to start exercising regularly and eating properly.

Beyond being one of the best TED ever, this TED gives the answer of life. It tells to take care of your stomach so not drinking, eating well, sleeping well and more importantly HAVE A GOOD POSTURE. Because posture can block your diaphragm and we know that diaphragm massages the stomach. Take care of your body and enjoy your life

1. Eat fermented vegetables 2. Stop eating conventional meats 3. Stop eating foods high in sugar. 4. Stop conventional dairy

"...There is some food for thought." Not only is this guy a genius, suggesting a theory which could change the world...but an excellent writer as well.

I agree with this 100% this supports the conclusion I've come to recently just in paying attention to how my moods have changed since I've become vegan. I notice when I eat junk food like mass produced pizzas and fried chicken I get in these really depressive moods and anything can tick me off, I also notice I get really depressed when I'm constipated. But since I've changed my diet I feel happier less irritable. I figured that my what I'm eating must affect my moods somehow, so happy UKposts suggested this to me.

Ayurveda, the Indian traditional medicinal system has always talked about the gut being a central pillar of human health (mental and physical). This is just one more validation for it from the western science.

Incredible research, I'm so fascinated! I recently started eliminating sugar and adding healthy fats to my diet and instantly noticed a decrease in my stress levels and increase in mood. I think my gut thanked .e with some seratonin. Phew!

I had to have a c section unfortunately. As I was aware of the microbiome I did a swab so that we could rub as much bacteria over our baby as possible. The hospital were totally against this as it was unheard of but we pushed it anyway and signed a waiver (just saying if anything went wrong it was on us). After that more of the Doctors and Nurses there actually looked into it and are now much more open minded for others who may want to do this in the future :)

All that was said can be summed up and concluded as " You are basically what you eat."

"You are more bacteria than you are human"- *yes.* Most Americans, antibiotic-crazed, hand-sanitizer-crazed, don't get this. Thanks for shining a light on the microbiome. :-)

We are all aware that we have bacteria in our gut and through out the body, but I never realized it was a 9:1 ratio (9 bacteria to every 1 human cell). I also never considered how much what we eat can affect that bacteria, the bacteria affects not only our digestive system, but also our brains and the way we think. It surprised me that there was enough of a connection with the gut and brain that it can actually produce serotonin to create either depression (a low level of serotonin) or anxiety (a high level). And that if we are noticing symptoms we can correct them by eating more starch (to decrease serotonin levels by 10%), or eat more protein (to increase serotonin levels by 35%) for breakfast. This video makes you think of what your body and consider that the food we eat alone can affect our moods, digestive system, and even personality. This was very informational and interesting considering how much what we eat really does have an impact on us in many ways.

Excellent talk by Ruairi. One thing that seems relatively overlooked in the comments is the role of antibiotics. We are quick to demand antibiotics from our doctors and doctors are quick to prescribe them (maybe to avoid complaints or long conversations). But it is likely that the inordinate amount of inappropriate antibiotics that we consume is killing vital gut bacteria and having an adverse effect on our health.

I need an intelligent man like this in my life!!!

I can definitely see how taking care of my gut health with my natural supplements, eating habits, and exercise has directly contributed to how I've felt, behaved, and and even thought these past five months. It's been an amazing journey and I feel like I'm just getting started!

The drink he talks about of Eastern Europe is "kefir". You can make it with kefir grains. It is an old tradition from the Middle East.

Full summary and notes of the talk: Overview: Bellies and brains are biochemically connected resulting in an intense connection between one's thoughts and behaviors to one's food. Nutritionist, microbiologist and neuroscientist Ruairi Robertson researches the link between intestines and how their microbes influence physical and mental health. Ruairi has researched nutrition and believes diet is key to global public health. Cholera: Some gut bacteria support cholera Some rid body of cholera Tie between gut and human health C-section: Increase in asthma, obesity disease Birth canal bacteria are necessary for the best health Link of gut and brain: Guts have a hundred million neurons Gut health can affect brain health neurotransmitters can change behavior Serotonin: 90% is created in the gut Modern diet disruptions in intestines Prebiotics: Help healthy microbiome grow The secret to long life: Bacterially fermented milk contributed to long life researcher lived nearly 2x as long as average life expectancy in France (70 instead of 40) Call to action: Adopt desire to educate c sections Restrict antibiotics Increase prebiotics in diet

Gut and brain relation has been said thousands of year before in Ayurveda.

Depressed, and having studied taoism and buddhism, I asked myself, 'since I am not thinking bad thoughts and nothing bad has happened, not only why do I feel depressed, but where is this depression'? I wanted to see if I could point to the feeling. It was then that I noticed it was a vague feeling in my gut that resulted in my sullen mood. In fact, once I leaned to the side and belched, my emotion changed. This may sound silly, but I have other examples as well and am now intricately more aware of my gut. I have successfully helped myself with intermittent fasting, though I have not altogether alleviated sadness, which is largely linked to being alienated from my children, and to my subsequent realization not only of human nature but also to our system of governance. But, to what I can control, is where I will ultimately hope to focus. Great Ted Talk.

lovely Irish accent

10:46 Foods to include in your diet.

For centuries, in India, we are told of the close linkage of our brain functions with the food we consume. Food has been categorised as Satvik, Tamasic and Rajasic. Therefore abstinence of meat products, help us lead a happy and disease free healthy life !

Handsome and smart: What a combination! The lecture is very captivating, too!

wonderfully both onions and garlic were used as granny tips from olden days for better immunity,in India.

This TED talk really is some "food for thought." I found the part about how serotonin is 90% produced in our intestines so interesting. Maybe this is suggesting that instead of pumping meds into people who suffer from mental illnesses like depression, we should be looking into their gut bacteria.

I agree WITH ALL YOU SAY..Mum was Naturopath my daughter is a Clinical Psychologist and i am both counsellor and Healer..so we think alike

My grandparents - farmers from East Europe, lived over 90 years, without major health issues, very active till the end, they ate very simply - what farms gave. Milk, potatoes, onion, butter, white cheese, some dumplings, eggs, not too much meat - it was expensive and hard available. I remember at home ( I lived on the farm for the first 15 years of my life) we had plenty of fermented milk - my favorite meal was potatoes with fermented milk. It is like people use to know what was right for them to stay fit.

I'm seriously in love with this man... handsome, articulate, and intelligent. I'm surprised this TED talk doesn't have more views.

Thanks, thanks and thanks again. We need more gems like you, in order to bring back health to general public.

I loved hearing this scientific explanation of the Biblical phrase, "bowels of compassion." It always sounded very odd to me, as a young Christian. Now, it makes perfect sense! Just like when it was declared in the book of Job that God hung the sphere of the Earth on nothing long before anyone had scientifically posited the possibility of the Earth being a sphere.

The multinational pharmaceutical industry isn't going to take this lightly, yknow.

I truly do believe that this almost conveys what our grandparents were always trying to teach us. But, somewhere along the line, but, we missed the point. We do need to get back to our basics. I truly believe that this is a great reminder of that way of life.

Very useful. Had IBS and learned some of this the hard way. Also, for the East Europe, I suppose he is referring to a particular bacteria called bifidus !! Not all kefirs yougurts etc have it! I’m from Romania and while watching I remembered my grand-grandma died @82... her husband I think almost 90. They were eating “lapte acru” - sour milk in literal translation. But they always had to preserve the bacteria from the last pot they had just finished. Some even would go ask from a particular lady in the village that was able to “get the soureness right” My mom and auntie are still trying. Even if I was a child I could make the difference if the pot was with “old” or “new” bacteria/sourness. ☺️Visit Romania 🇷🇴 ask for “lapte acru” 💪🏽

The gut - brain connection!! This has always fascinated me... Sir... This is the best and the most relevant Ted talk.. I hve ever seen.... Adore u sir...!!

Simply, very impressive, eventhough I don't drink milk since I was 10 years old boy, now I'm 74 years old and my health is better than ever and permanently getting younger and younger. Thank you!

THIS IS HOW MY FATHER THOUGHT ABOUT FOOD. HOW GOOD IT IS TO FIND OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT HOW THE BODY FUNCTIONS, AND MAKE THAT AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW. AWESOME THAT THIS INFORMATION IS ON UKposts.[!!!!!!].AND SOMEONE TOOK THE TIME TO PUT IT THERE. THANK YOU.

O boy! You knocked it out of the park and the universe!!!! Your message can change the world 🌎 I will share this far n wide.

I like how this TED Talk agrees w/ Jim Kwik's (Brain Coach) insight that our gut is our 2nd brain. He called this as ENS (Enteric Nervous System) while the Brain is CNS (Central Nervous System). Kudos! 👏

This is great to hear. In the "natural foods" community, we have been saying this for years, but to have a member of the medical community saying it so eloquently will have a big influence on the general population. THANK YOU.

This was actually a very interecting TED Talk. I was pleased to hear about our fermented milk (yogurt) with the bacteria called Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

Keyword: MAY- Keep that in mind. Very important!

The people of the Indus Valley knew about this centuries ago. Yoga promotes a mind-body connection.

10:57 (list of food for bacteria growth)

Loving the number of vegans on here. I went vegan 6 months ago but only very recently cut out refined sugar and unhealthy processed foods. The difference mentally is amazing!

this could change the way we eat. His speech was incredible

"You are more bacteria than human." So that's what people mean when they call me a pest.

I live in Ukraine where kefir and other similar type of drinks are in abundance. No wonder the senior citizens here are so strong and healthy.

Belated.But I cried from the beginning to the end my friend. I had Covid visiting me already and I am fine. I suffered 2 times Pulmonary Embolism in the last 24 month. I am fine. But my gut feeling is, that the cause was 6 vaccinations same day because I wanted to travel to Africa. Thank you so much for your voice and daring to speak up!!!

Food you eat does determine how you behave. This has been studied and practiced for centuries in India and has been largely discussed in the Ayurveda. This concept is know has Sathvik living, you create a lifestyle that promotes qualitative longevity - not just physically but also mentally. This has been proven to help the cause for ages now.

Yep,I just got diagnosed with SIBO and stress really triggers it all plus poor eating habits . Be healthy everyone ❤️

Wow, I feel like Ruairi just took all the thoughts in my brain and told a really important story far more eloquently than I ever could.

Amazing and no wonder there is no meat listed for the foods needed to build a healthy microbiome and overall body.

I've heard about prebiotics but because we hear more about probiotics, I just assumed there are more important but clearly they aren't. I had M.E., which is a brain disease, for 20+ years. There's no cure, as such, or medication, so as soon as I learned what it was and before my health deteriorated too far, I read everything I could about what I needed to eat. I believe my new diet and cbt therapy, and strong faith, are what enabled me to fully recover, when others often go from relapse to relapse or even 'die'. Now I understand why. Thank you

Amazing insight! I’ve suffered from a perforated colon and changing my diet saved my life. I function and feel better with a healthy diet and good probiotics.

Fascinating, I knew nothing about microbes now I do . Thank you TED

A great talk, and a great reminder of how we need to put our health back at the top of our lists of priorities....Dr Sebi was known for healing with food - he was murdered unfortunately....very sad ..

I love this speech so much. I could... and have watched it over and over for hours. The subject and delivery are just wonderful.

I love it when people are fascinated by science. I don't mean him, I mean obviously we share our love for science. But I love it when non-scientists discover the fascination of science and laugh about his jokes and have fun while learning something, he does a good job there. I only discovered the gut's role and importance for our immune system about 6 months ago thanks to a colleague who told me about experiments where they the influence of your microbiome on autoimmune disease for example. It's crazy and so cool. Thank you for your nice talk.

Wow, didn’t know natural birth is so important. Interesting

Fascinating !! Thanks for this talk! Very good delivery!

Mechnikov was studying the bacteria found in the Bulgarian "Yoghurt" (we call it kisselo mliako) and its correlation with longevity. The lactobacillus Bulgaricus. Mechnicov found that in Bulgaria there were more people above the age of 100 in seemingly good health compared with the rest of Europe at that time. He contributed that to this fermented yoghurt that they were consuming (and the bacteria) daily. Good talk!

I believe this could be one of the most valuable videos on Earth. Due to its shinning a light on something so transformative and fundamental, that very few understand. Give your body what it wants, it will give you what you want.

Interesting topic! (Irish accent + perfect enunciation + plus high level of echo = (I am reminded of sunday mass sermon!)

Thank you, Ruairi, for sharing your #fightsworthfighting on the TEDxFulbright stage!

Would ❤ love a TED talk by him on updated research as of 2024💕

This is one of the best videos on UKposts..6:50 - 7:00 that's just genius.. That is exactly how barren deserts are formed on earth as well. To reverse a desert into a thriving ecosystem we first have to introduce the microorganisms into the soil - a big lesson I learnt on how our lives are dependent on the minutest of organisms.

excellent talk - so clearly explained

Us native Americans always ate healthy which also helped you stay looking youthful, in shape and long beautiful hair by eating good. Love this!

This is the topic i heard before and i'm still fascinated.

Great lecture!!

I could listen to this guy talk all day

This guy is a great orator. I would take notes, but it's 1;24am. Time for bed. Goodnite.

I lost over 120 lbs and have kept it off for 7 years but none of that was possible before I found my “why”. You have to do the inner work first or it will not last.

Superb Ruairi. I work everyday on that direction, Rersearching, as a Kinesiologist. I truly believe that, "that gut feeling" belongs to our first brain. Thank you

Accent, intellect and information! Great delivery!!

Powerful Talk. Charming speaker. Tons of knowledge in short time. Insightful! Thanks a lot RR and TedxFullbrightSantaMonica.

Thank you so much Dr. Robertson! I’m not a doctor but however i’m really interested in relationship between food and health and you are just confirming my empirical idea about that 💚🙌🏻

microbe and man, food for thougth!! amazing writer and the theory makes so much sense!

coming back to this during the corona virus to find the correlation between a countries rate of infection and their diet plan/prescription use. and of course, very helpful information.

Eye-opening, thank you 👍 ❤

Mind, heart, gut = who we are. We don't need drugs, just a healthy diet, exercise, and sunlight. Amazing. Almost impossible for the average American in today's world.

Wow… this is something I didn’t know I needed ❤ Thanks for the video!

In March, for 17 days I ate healthy only food. No junk or take outs. I lost over 10 pounds. My body had junk food cravings and urges for the first week. But that led to me not having any need to want to eat..the body and the brain are so damn exhausting.

Expressing novel interesting scientific facts with simple words and a sense of humor! He was great. I really want to get involved in his topic of research!

My best career too. Human Nutrition that changed my Life.

He is absolutely right!!!!

Hes sooooo good looking. And a great speaker :)

Im glad I had the chance to listen to this talk. Since 2013 I have been suffering several diseases and I was diagnosed with a bacteria in my stomach that ruined my digestive system. I look foward to do what is possible to get my health in a better place. Thank you!

We still have a lot to learn

Thank you so much for interesting and informative speech!

A great speech!! Thank you