Gut Health
OUR SECOND BRAIN
If you’ve ever had your stomach in knots before speaking in public, then you know the stomach listens carefully to the brain. In fact, according to William Whitehead, PhD, a professor of medicine and an adjunct professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina, the entire digestive system is closely attuned to a person’s emotions and state of mind. People with irritable bowel syndrome often suffer symptoms during times of stress and anxiety, and even perfectly healthy people can have an increase of stomach pain, nausea, constipation or diarrhea during stressful life events.
In recent years the link between the nervous system and the digestive system has been recognized. There is a constant exchange of chemicals and electrical messages between the two systems. In fact, many scientists often refer to them as one entity; the brain-gut axis. Therefore, what affects the stomach will directly affect the brain and vice versa.
ESSENTIAL LINKS
"ALL HEALTH BEGINS IN THE GUT" - Hippocrates
Antidepressants and Gut Microbiome
Benzos, GABA Receptors and Depressed Gut Mobility
Improve Gut Health and Improve Your Sleep
The Gut-Liver Axis: How they Influence the Health of the Microbiome and the Liver
Gut Side Effects are Common with Opioids
Yes We Need Friendly Bacteria to Thrive
ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND GUT MICROBIOME
Medications designed to target the brain can also cause nausea, diarrhea, constipation or abdominal upset because the body actually has two brains – one encased in the skull, and a lesser known but vitally important one found in the human gut. Fat-soluble drugs penetrate the gut wall and can injure the natural balance of the digestive system. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines and sleeping pills are all fat-soluble, meaning they dissolve in fat and not water.
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are believed to ease depression by enhancing levels of Serotonin to the brain. But 95% of the Serotonin in the body lies in the digestive system, and diverting the supplies of Serotonin from their natural receptors can increase anxiety, alter sleep patterns, cause sexual dysfunction and adversely affect the cardiovascular region. Balancing the hotbed of Serotonin production in the gut is critical to restoring the balance.
Some scientists believe that SSRIs boost Serotonin in the gut and change the signals to the brain, since antidepressants prevent the uptake of Serotonin by cells that should be using it. But Serotonin is calming to the digestive tract. This may explain why some SSRI users experience nausea, stomach upset, constipation, diarrhea, and fluctuations in appetite.
BENZOS, GABA RECEPTORS AND DEPRSSED GUT MOBILITY
GABA receptors for Benzodiazepines and Sleeping Pills are also located in the gut and depress gastrointestinal movement, which can cause constipation. But the continued use of medications that target GABA also increase the level of stress on the body. And in many ways, the connection between stress and the gut may be the most visible brain-gut connection. Chronic stress can result in indigestion, ulcers and a host of uncomfortable symptoms, including colon spasms. This may explain why the gut naturally produces benzodiazepines, to keep the natural state of calm that is necessary for proper functioning.
Nearly every chemical that controls the brain is also located in the stomach region, including hormones and neurotransmitters such as Serotonin, Dopamine, Glutamate, GABA and Norepinephrine. The gut contains 100 million neurons – more than the spinal cord. But there are also two-dozen small brain proteins; major cells of the immune system; one class of the body’s natural opiates; and native benzodiazepines. The gut, known as the enteric nervous system, is located in sheaths of tissue lining the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon, and plays a key role in human emotions. But few know the enteric nervous system exists, and therefore gut health is often overlooked. Symptoms from the two brains can get confused, and just as the brain can upset the gut, the gut can also upset the brain.
The brain signals the gut region by talking to a small number of command neurons, which in turn signal relay neurons that carry messages and control the pattern of activity in the gut. The term Solar Plexus simply refers to the nerves in the abdomen. But these plexuses also contain cells that nourish neurons and are involved in immune response and the protection of the “blood brain barrier” to keep harmful substances away from the important neurons. There are also sensors for sugar, protein, acid and other factors that monitor the progress of digestion, determining how the gut mixes and handles its contents.
IMPROVE GUT HEALTH AND IMPROVE SLEEP
During sleep, the head’s brain produces 90-minute cycles of slow wave sleep, followed by periods of rapid eye movement (REM) where dreams occur. During the night, when it is empty, the gut’s brain produces 90-minute slow wave muscle contractions, followed by short bursts of rapid muscle movement. These two brains are linked even in sleep. Individuals with bowel problems have been shown to also have abnormal REM sleep.
When the central brain encounters severe tension, it releases stress hormones that prepare the body for flight or fight. The stomach in turn contains many sensory nerves that are stimulated by this chemical surge – thus the feeling of butterflies. Fear also causes the Serotonin circuits in the gut to increase their intensity, resulting in diarrhea.
Both stimulation and inhibition are important to the normal transmission of messages. GABA neurons selectively slow the excited responses, which is why benzodiazepines are known to dampen experiences. GABA enhancing drugs such as benzodiazepines and sleeping pills perform a sedative force on the GABA receptors. But GABA is meant to only periodically regulate the excited transmissions, and the long-term intensification of GABA can decrease the receptor’s ability to reduce excitation – thus creating increased anxiety, insomnia and depression.
Sleep and waking is regulated by many neurotransmitters including Noradrenaline, Serotonin, Acetyl-Choline, Dopamine, GABA, the pituitary hormones and Melatonin. Any drugs that alter the balance of these neurotransmitters can also affect sleep. The answer is not to add more GABA, Serotonin or other chemicals, but to restore the equilibrium of chemical production.
THE GUT-LIVER AXIS
Liver detoxification has become quite the buzzword in the world of health and wellness. The liver is an important organ for detoxification of the body, and it works alongside other organs, like the gut and kidneys, for overall system detoxification.
Located in the upper right portion of our abdomen, beneath the ribs, the liver is the only solid organ that regenerates to 100% of its original organ-to-body weight ratio after acute injury or partial surgical removal. Pretty amazing!
This solid organ is responsible for a variety of important actions in our body, including:
- Receives, stores, and metabolizes vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E
- Produces proteins and carrier molecules for hormones in the body
- Produces clotting factors
- Breakdown of hormones for proper disposal
- Active thyroid hormone conversion
- Detoxification of toxins, xenobiotics, and drugs
- Filters our blood along with the kidneys
- Stores energy in the form of glycogen and fats
- Production of bile, which is necessary for digestion and absorption
- Regulator of metabolism and hormones
HOW DOES THE GUT INFLUENCE THE LIVER?
Studies document that over 60% of the blood entering the liver comes from the gut. If a person is experiencing a leaky gut, endotoxins—toxins released from certain types of bacteria in the gut—enter the bloodstream and then travel to the liver. So, ensuring that our gut barrier is airtight will help to prevent further damage to the liver.
One common disruptor of the gut barrier is alcohol. In patients with and without liver disease, studies find that acute alcohol consumption results in circulating endotoxins in the blood stream. Alcohol already wreaks havoc on the liver directly, so maintaining a healthy gut can potentially reduce additional liver damage. Although the liver naturally maintains a large amount of immune cells to ensure a balanced mechanism for neutralizing potential damaging compounds from the gut, studies show that when the liver is in a compromised state, as seen in different liver diseases, bacteria-related components from the gut can worsen liver damage.
Increased intestinal permeability is not only seen in alcoholic liver disease but also in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Patients with liver diseases tend to have a higher prevalence of small intestine bacteria overgrowth as well as intestinal dysbiosis. Intestinal bacteria also play a role in the progression of liver diseases. In animal models, when mice are given antibiotics to wipe out their intestinal bacteria population, researchers did not find the same associations with liver disease progression, indicating just how influential gut bacteria are on the liver.
EMOTIONS AND GUT HEALTH
There is a natural symphony of chemicals in the stomach region that balance our emotions, sleep, pain and energy. Benzodiazepines cause profound alterations throughout the brain and gut and an eventual reduction in GABA levels. Dose tolerance and abrupt withdrawals may be accompanied by uncontrolled release of Dopamine, Serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Lower GABA levels cause an increase in Norepinephrine that encourages quick emotional responses such as anger, and discourages deliberate logical thinking. High Norepinephrine causes adrenalin to be released, which can cause the heart to beat faster and harder. This also causes red corpuscle reserves to be placed in the bloodstream, which in turn causes energy sources, nutrients and oxygen to be diverted from organs and into the muscles. This is where high blood pressure occurs.
But low GABA also causes a decrease in Serotonin, which makes sleep difficult and causes depression, irritability and a lack of rational emotion. The benzodiazepine receptors are also involved in the regulation of pain perception, modulation of the immune and inflammatory systems, and the protection of cells from damage by free radicals. This helps to explain why continued use of benzodiazepines can increase pain and cause a breakdown of the immune system, while also inducing anxiety and insomnia.
SO HOW DOES THE LIVER INFLUENCE THE GUT?
The liver exerts its influence on the gut primarily through bile acids. Bile acids are made from cholesterol in the liver and are deposited into the intestinal tract. These acids help us absorb fats and vitamins from our food. They are also important for helping to maintain bacterial balance in the gut by influencing the production of antibacterial chemicals.
Bile acids are produced by the liver; however, they are stored by the gallbladder. When bile acids are released into the gut from the gallbladder, most are reabsorbed in the small intestines and then taken back to the liver. Bile acids and their breakdown products are harmful to the large intestines in excess. Surgical removal of the gallbladder creates an increased likelihood of excessive bile acids circulating in the intestines since the gallbladder is not present for proper storage. And, in patients with surgical removal of the gallbladder, there is an associated increased colon cancer risk thought to be due to bile acids affecting the colon. Bacterial dysbiosis in the gut (leaky gut) contributes to the conversion of bile acids into more toxic compounds that increase the risk of colon cancer!
HOW PROBIOTICS MAY HELP THE LIVER
Given the bidirectional communication between the gut and liver, it’s only right to wonder about the possible beneficial effects of probiotics on the liver. Studies do reveal a positive association between probiotic intake and improvements in parameters of liver disease. Other reports reveal no significant improvements in liver disease parameters with addition of probiotics. We do know that altering the diet by including more fiber-rich foods leads to alterations in the intestinal bacteria make-up that can lend improvements in liver disease.
CONCLUSION
Our organ systems are intertwined in many ways. What affects one organ system, affects another organ system, both directly and indirectly. The best way to optimize the liver is through modifiable factors such as our lifestyle, environment, and diet. By optimizing our gut function through consumption of prebiotic-rich foods, probiotics, and fiber-rich foods, we can directly influence our liver health for the better.
BY DR. ASIA MUHAMMAD, ND | READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE
GUT SIDE EFFECTS ARE COMMON WITH OPIOIDS
Often a painkiller is added. But pain medication lowers natural Opioid levels, resulting in abnormal pain perception - causing an increase in Dopamine release that leads to anxiety. Continued Dopamine release causes emotional fatigue. Low Opioid levels also cause the lowering of GABA, which can increase anxiety, insecurity, unexplained panic and depression. And low GABA causes a decrease in Serotonin, which makes sleep difficult and causes irritability and a lack of rational emotion. The Serotonin reduction further decreases Opioid levels, and the Stress Cycle repeats with increasing intensity. Every time one neurotransmitter is altered, it starts a chain reaction in the remaining chemicals.
Because many medications stimulate sensory nerves in the stomach, they can also cause nausea, constipation or diarrhea. Even some antibiotics act on gut receptors, causing cramps and nausea. Drugs like morphine and benzodiazepines attach to the gut’s GABA receptors and produce constipation. SSRIs work by redistributing neurotransmitters such as Serotonin and Norepinephrine, which can cause constipation or diarrhea. Therefore, a healthy stomach is essential to keep the precise balance of chemicals for optimal mental and physical health.
STOMACH ACID HAS A PURPOSE
Often additional medications are added to stop the production of stomach acid in an attempt to ease gas, bloating and pain. But without adequate acid, the entire sequence of digestion can become compromised, since gastric acid is necessary for optimal digestion and nutrient assimilation. Hydrochloric acid is the prevalent stomach acid that is secreted naturally and is necessary to breakdown and absorb protein; activate enzymes; and for the absorption of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. The presence of acid also assists in muscle contractions that push food through the intestines while destroying parasites, bacteria, fungi and other invaders. Without sufficient acid, microorganisms that are normally destroyed can proliferate, raising the risk of gastrointestinal infections. Additionally, the acid coming from the stomach tells the pancreas and gall bladder to pour alkaline juices in the small intestine. Without the alkaline release, a systemic acid level can build to dangerous levels, and has been associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. And of course, an imbalance in the stomach adversely affects the brain, resulting in increased anxiety, depression and insomnia.
The digestive tract should have 400 types of healthy bacteria that reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system. Antibiotics not only kill the harmful bacteria, but also destroy beneficial bacteria essential to a healthy digestive tract. This in turn impairs digestion and the assimilation of nutrients. But stress, medications, poor diet and even treated city water that contain chlorine and sodium fluoride all contribute to the breakdown of the healthy stomach bacteria. Therefore, it is important to replenish the friendly bacteria to promote good gut health.
YES WE NEED FRIENDLY BACTERIA TO THRIVE
A healthy lower intestine should contain at least 85% friendly bacteria to prevent the over colonization of microorganisms like E. coli and salmonella. Our bodies can sustain healthy states with 15% bad bacteria, but unfortunately most have the balance inverted. The human body should have 20 times more beneficial bacteria than cells to maintain a healthy intestinal tract and help fight illness and disease.
Probiotics are carefully prepared friendly bacteria that replenish the microbial balance. Probiotics can support the immune system by protecting the body from unfriendly organisms, while preventing the overgrowth of yeast and fungus. Poor intestinal flora can contribute to depression by altering the immune system and the natural production of enzymes that assist with the absorption of nutrients. While excessive harmful bacteria by-products can interfere with the production of neurotransmitters, beneficial bacteria eases gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea, while supporting the production of chemicals that are inherent to life.
Good health fundamentally depends upon the friendly, symbiotic bacteria that inhabit the digestive tract and promote health. Gut health is an essential component of our general wellbeing, and Probiotics contain millions of live beneficial bacteria that bolster and replenish the microflora in the gut region.
References
Gut Bacteria in Health and Disease
Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis
Your Body's Second Brain - The Importance of Gut Health
Can gut bacteria improve your health?
DISCLAIMER:
*While great care has been taken in organizing and presenting the material throughout this website, please note that it is provided for informational purposes only and should not be taken as Medical Advice. Please work closely with your health care practitioner on health issues and challenges. More...