The word longevity means “a long duration of individual life” or “length of life.” But what does longevity mean to you? We’ve all heard from friends and family that living a long, healthy life is a priority. That's a fair request, but how do we make it a reality? The current life expectancy for people living in the United States is 78.7 years old, depending on a variety of factors, such as diet, lifestyle, and environment. Due to advances in medicine and disease management, life span has vastly increased over the last century.

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. This hormone is key in helping your body deal with stressful situations.

Short-term cortisol release helps you to run from danger, and cortisol levels are meant to drop once the stressful event is over, such as getting away from a lion that was chasing you. When cortisol levels remain high – when the body doesn’t recognize that stress isn’t a physical threat – your body remains in “fight or flight” mode and ends up paying the toll.

Good mental health translates to good physical health – and the inverse is also true. Being physically well affects mental health. Research shows that proper nutrition and regular exercise play an enormous role in supporting mental well-being. It’s also harder to keep mentally well when you’re eating less-than-nutritious foods. Studies show that fast food (a convenient, easy choice for those struggling with their mental health) can lead to feelings of depression and higher levels of anxiety.

So how does diet actually impact your mood? Let’s travel to the gut and find out!