When most people get a health problem they don't often consider their gut to be the originator. Usually they don't even think they know where the problem is originating or go to the doctor to have them simply diagnose it as "depression". But what is happening in the body when depression appears? Despite modern psychiatry's sole focus being on the brain, mental disorders probably don't actually originate in the brain though the activity may be seen there and this goes for many other health problems as well. Especially since its now known that the blood brain barrier can be penetrated by certain substances such as heavy metals. In this post, I would like to discuss the crucial role that gut health plays in brain functioning and other organs.
As the book Gut And Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-Mc-Bride explains, your gut is dependent upon lots of different good bacteria to allow it to digest food properly so nutrients can be obtained and used by the body and flush out toxins. All of this bacteria is found along the layer called epithelium that coats the entire length of the digestive system to protect it from invading bacteria and toxins and to digest and produce nutrients. When damage occurs to the epithelium the bacteria is no longer present and it goes on to mess up other functions of the digestive system. The vitamin B complex, which is produced by good bacteria, is no longer available to maintain good mental health. Toxins start building up due to the imbalanced gut flora and leak out into the rest of the body through the damaged small intestines. And the constant inflammation response (allergies, etc.) caused by undigested food and foreign particles leaking out of the small intestines can eventually break the brain blood barrier down allowing toxins to enter the brain. All of these conditions can lead to poor mental health such as autism, learning disabilities, and even bipolar disorder.
As the book Gut And Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-Mc-Bride explains, your gut is dependent upon lots of different good bacteria to allow it to digest food properly so nutrients can be obtained and used by the body and flush out toxins. All of this bacteria is found along the layer called epithelium that coats the entire length of the digestive system to protect it from invading bacteria and toxins and to digest and produce nutrients. When damage occurs to the epithelium the bacteria is no longer present and it goes on to mess up other functions of the digestive system. The vitamin B complex, which is produced by good bacteria, is no longer available to maintain good mental health. Toxins start building up due to the imbalanced gut flora and leak out into the rest of the body through the damaged small intestines. And the constant inflammation response (allergies, etc.) caused by undigested food and foreign particles leaking out of the small intestines can eventually break the brain blood barrier down allowing toxins to enter the brain. All of these conditions can lead to poor mental health such as autism, learning disabilities, and even bipolar disorder.
- Autistic kids were found to have high levels of a bacteria called sutterella in their gut.
- Depression may actually have more to do with the immune system (and gut) then previously thought.
- This study shows a link between intestinal dybiosis and psychiatric disorders.
- Great article on how our "second brain" influences moods and behavior.
- Gut viruses may have contributed to human evolution and our overall health.
- Consumption of good bacteria like Lactobacillus rhamnosus contributes to less stress, anxiety, and depression-like problems.
- A good article explaining that from a young age people are hard-wired to be exposed to diverse bacteria to keep their brain in shape.
- A study shows a link between gut bacteria and multiple sclerosis.