Did you know that what goes on in our gut impacts how we feel physically, mentally and even emotionally? Our nervous system is wired to send messages from the gut to the brain and back again through a complex neural network called the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS lines our gastrointestinal tract (GI), that includes a series of eight organs, extending from the esophagus to the rectum. The ENS has a direct connection to the brain via the vagus nerve which impacts brain chemistry. Yes, you heard it. The messages sent to the brain from the gut (or lower GI), have an overall impact on how we feel, including our energy and our mood.
Hmmmmmmmm, so given this connection, how can we have a positive impact on our overall well-being? Well for one, by taking extra special care of our GI tract. Our GI tract is essential to our overall health. You may be wondering how can I have a positive impact on this? Where do I begin? Well, let’s start with noticing the slightest changes that go on throughout your digestive tract when you consume food and following a meal. Do you feel satisfied after a meal? Do you feel agitated, gassy or bloated? Do you experience brain fog or a headache? Are you suddenly tired? Do you crave sugary foods? These are just some of the many messages sent from your GI tract to your brain, designed to then send signals to the conscious part of your brain informing you when something is not okay.
Another question that you can ask yourself, is when you consume food, does it provide you with the vitamins, minerals, essential nutrients and energy needed to maintain, repair and support overall health and wellness? If you are unsure about the nutritional value you may or may not be getting or if you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, we can help!
Another key nutrient that is essential to overall health, is fiber. Fiber is widely known to regulate motility of digested or partially digested components throughout the GI tract, some of which is destined for absorption or elimination. Fiber also helps remove toxins, regulates blood sugar and even lowers cholesterol. Wait! There is more! In addition, fiber provides the raw materials for nourishing bacteria living in the large intestines. We call these prebiotics! Have you heard of these? The fibrous parts of particularly fresh vegetables provide a wealth of prebiotics to the bacteria that then feed on them. The fibers get fermented by the bacteria living in the large intestines. The bacteria in turn produce a fuel known as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs are essential for gut health that are then used by the bacteria as energy to do work, such as to further populate and enhance the health and diversity of the gut. The SCFAs are also used by the cells lining the intestines, also known as enterocytes, to help maintain tight junctions.
What are tight junctions you ask? Tight junctions hold our cells together so nothing can get through between the cells. They are found throughout many regions of the body, including our skin. It is how when we are in the bathtub, we don’t fill up with water and get “waterlogged”. Tight junctions are essential to maintain the integrity of the GI tract. Tight junctions prevent harmful substances, typically molecules that are too large from entering circulation. When the integrity of the intestinal walls is compromised, and we lose these tight junctions, the result is inflammation. This then sets off a negative cascade of events that results in disease.
Remember earlier we discussed that the gut is in communication with the brain? Well wrap your head around this! There are trillions of bacteria living in our guts that send signals to the brain and impact how we respond to signals. In actuality, the ratio of bacteria to human cells in the body is ten to one. Given this, it makes sense to prioritize the health of our gut given their impact on our brains.