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  • Writer's pictureBrian Dooreck MD

The Gut-Brain Connection (aka the Gut-Brain Axis)—Why does it matter?

Updated: Jul 27, 2023


Healthy foods feed the gut-brain axis, health, microbiome, gastrointestinal gi system for you and the gastroenterology doctor

Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach?


Have you had a gut-wrenching experience?


Felt sick before an exam or an important presentation?


These experiences aren't just a coincidence. Your brain and gut work closely together, so much so that the lining of your gut is often called your "second brain." Therefore, a healthy gut means a healthy mind as well. Read more to learn what this means for your mental and physical health.


"I hope to add real value to social media and share what my patients ask me about." — Dr. Dooreck


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What is the "gut-brain" connection aka the "gut-brain axis"?

Simply put, there is a part of your body's nervous system in the lining of your gut called the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). Your ENS comprises hundreds of millions of nerve cells in your gut. The ENS communicates with your brain to control digestion.


This brain-gut connection perfectly explains the "fight or flight" reaction.


When a person feels threatened or in danger, the brain sends signals throughout the body to prepare for an "attack." While your Central Nervous System (CNS) is being activated, so is your Enteric Nervous System (ENS). As a result, your digestion slows down, so you have more energy to fight.


Why is the "gut-brain" connection aka the "gut-brain axis" important?

Your brain can send messages to your gut, but your gut can also send messages to your brain. As a result, we need to look at digestive diseases and mental disorders with a whole new perspective.


Doctors commonly thought that anxiety and depression caused bowel problems like abdominal pain, upset stomach, constipation, and bloating.


However, recent studies show that this may be the other way around. In other words, if your gastrointestinal tract is irritated, it sends messages to your brain's central nervous system (CNS), resulting in mood changes.


This is critical since 30-40% of the population suffers from bowel problems at some point.


30-40% of the population suffers from bowel problems at some point in their lives

What does this mean for the treatment of GI disorders?

Now that scientists know more about the ENS-CNS connection, antidepressants or therapy are being looked into as potential treatment methods for IBS and other bowel disorders.


Since your brain and your "second brain" are constantly "talking" to each other, treatments that can help one brain can help the other.



How can I improve my brain health?

As explained in a previous blog post, the trillions of bacteria in your gut make up your microbiome.


A healthy microbiome means a healthy mind, and an unhealthy microbiome is associated with stress, depression, and anxiety.


Luckily, changing your gut bacteria can help your gut health tremendously. Some steps you can take include:


  • Eating a well-balanced diet

  • Managing and reducing your stress

  • Exercising regularly

  • Getting enough sleep


Read this blog post for four easy changes to help your gut and brain health.


 


Here are some takeaways on this from a public health point of view.



 

Healthy foods feed the gut-brain axis, health, microbiome, gastrointestinal gi system for you and the gastroenterology doctor

Although dietary changes may benefit your gut health, it is important to ask your physician, a licensed nutritionist = LN, or a registered dietitian = RD before making any drastic eliminations to your diet.


Personally


I eat a high-fiber, mostly plant-based 🌱 diet, no red meat, drink 4 liters of water a day, exercise, and am focused on keeping nutrition simple. I am sharing what works for me and what I routinely recommend to my patients.


"Balance. Portion control. Keep nutrition simple. Eat Smart. Eat Healthy. 🌱 🌾 🌿"

Gut Health ➕ Patient Advocacy with Navigation ➕ Life Balance


If you were looking for information about Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy from Executive Health Navigation


Connect with Dr. Dooreck on LinkedIn, where he focuses his sharing on Health, Diet, Nutrition, Exercise, Lifestyle, and Balance.


 

gastroenterology | colonoscopy doctor | colonoscopy and gastroenterology services | gastro doctor | gi doctor | gastrointestinal diagnostic centers | public health

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