If you find yourself feeling mentally sluggish during the summer months—struggling with memory, focus, or motivation—you’re not alone. Many of my patients describe what they call “summer brain fog.” And while you might blame it on the heat or disrupted routines, there’s often a deeper root: your gut.

In this article, I want to unpack the fascinating link between gut health and brain function, and why healing your gut might be the most effective way to sharpen your mind—especially this time of year. We’ll also look at what science has to say, and how Scripture reinforces the importance of caring for our bodies with wisdom and intentionality.

The Gut-Brain Connection: More Than a Feeling

The gut and brain are connected by a complex network of nerves, biochemicals, and messenger systems known as the gut-brain axis. This communication highway allows your digestive system to send and receive signals to and from your brain—often influencing mood, focus, memory, and even sleep.

Here’s what we know from science:

• The gut produces over 90% of the body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter crucial for mood regulation.
• An imbalance in the gut microbiome—such as an overgrowth of bad bacteria or yeast—can trigger inflammation, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and contribute to brain fog, anxiety, and fatigue.
• Studies show that gut dysbiosis (imbalanced bacteria) is associated with cognitive decline and poor memory.

When the gut is struggling, the brain often suffers quietly until symptoms like fatigue, poor concentration, or forgetfulness emerge.

Why Summer Makes It Worse

There are several seasonal habits that may quietly sabotage gut health during the summer:

1. Processed Summer Treats
Ice cream, BBQ sauces loaded with sugar, soda, and artificial dyes—these common indulgences can feed harmful gut bacteria and promote systemic inflammation.

2. Travel & Disruption of Routine
Whether it’s international travel or a simple road trip, your digestion can be thrown off by irregular meals, different water sources, or unfamiliar foods.

3. Alcohol & Dehydration
Increased alcohol intake and reduced hydration in the heat can irritate the gut lining and impair healthy digestion.

4. Sleep Disturbance
Longer days and more activity can interfere with restful sleep, which your gut (and brain) need for repair and detox.

What You Can Do to Restore Clarity

If you want to reclaim your mental edge this summer, healing your gut is an excellent place to start. Here are a few simple yet powerful steps:

1. Cut the Sugar and Processed Foods

Sugar feeds the wrong bacteria. Swap sugary snacks for high-fiber fruits like berries, which also support digestion and reduce inflammation.

2. Rebuild with Probiotics and Fiber

Adding a quality probiotic and a soluble fiber supplement helps repopulate good bacteria and keep your gut regular. I often recommend Zone Biotics Probiotic and Fiber Zone from Divine Health.

3. Consider Advanced Gut Support

For those needing more comprehensive care, Biotic Zone Probiotic is an advanced formula that combines powerful probiotics and prebiotics to promote digestive balance, reduce bloating, and support brain-gut communication.

4. Support the Gut Lining

L-glutamine, aloe vera, and collagen can help repair a leaky gut. You can find these in many gut repair powders or take them separately. Explore our detox and cleanse supplements for comprehensive support.

5. Hydrate Intentionally

Drink filtered water consistently throughout the day. Add sea salt or electrolytes to help absorption, especially if you’re sweating more than usual.

6. Focus on Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Include foods like leafy greens, turmeric, wild salmon, and extra virgin olive oil. These nourish the brain and gut while reducing inflammation.

Gut-Healing Foods That Also Fuel Mental Clarity

Your food choices play a pivotal role in gut health—and by extension, brain function. Here are some of the best whole foods to incorporate into your daily routine:

1. Fermented Foods
Kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and unsweetened yogurt are rich in probiotics that help replenish good bacteria in your gut.

2. Prebiotic-Rich Foods
Foods like garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, and green bananas feed the good bacteria and support a thriving microbiome.

3. Omega-3 Rich Foods
Wild-caught salmon, sardines, flaxseeds, and chia seeds help reduce inflammation and support the brain-gut connection.

4. Polyphenol-Packed Plants
Blueberries, pomegranate, spinach, and dark chocolate (70%+ cacao) provide antioxidants that protect both the brain and gut lining.

5. Bone Broth
Loaded with collagen and amino acids like glutamine, bone broth helps seal and heal the gut lining.

6. Clean Proteins
Organic pasture-raised poultry, wild-caught fish, and grass-fed beef provide essential nutrients for cellular repair and neurotransmitter production.

These foods are a foundational part of the preventative and holistic approach I recommend—and they nourish more than just your body. They create the internal environment needed for peace, energy, and mental clarity.

What Scripture Reminds Us About the Body

Scripture reminds us that our bodies are a gift from God, and we are called to steward them well:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” — 1 Corinthians 6:19

Caring for your body—including your gut—isn’t just about physical health. It’s about clarity, energy, and the ability to serve others and fulfill your purpose with excellence.

Sometimes the greatest clarity doesn’t come from another coffee or pushing through fatigue. It comes from healing the internal systems God designed to work together in harmony.

🛒 Ready to Support Your Gut?

Explore Dr. Colbert’s Top Gut Health Supplements:
👉 Zone Biotics Probiotic
👉 Fiber Zone
👉 Biotic Zone Probiotic
👉 Detox & Cleanse Collection

Final Thoughts

Summer brain fog isn’t something you have to live with or push through. By supporting your gut, you support your brain—and ultimately your quality of life.

From a scientific perspective, gut health is one of the most powerful levers for cognitive and emotional wellness. And from a spiritual perspective, it’s a meaningful way to honor the temple God entrusted to us.

Until next time, stay sharp, stay healthy, and stay grounded in grace.

To your health,

Dr. Don Colbert, MD