YOUR GUT

Your Gut, your second brain

The intestines and the brain are closely connected through bidirectional communication channels, such as nerves, hormones, and molecules.

In 1996, Dr. Michael D. Gershon, a neurobiologist, after extensive research, called the digestive system "the second brain," as it has its own nervous system, known in medical science as the enteric system or ENS. This second brain is made up of between fifty and one hundred million neurons, most of them located in the spinal cord. "The Second Brain" — Michael D. Gershon, MD.

The intestines collect information every millisecond about everything we eat and our environment, doing so twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, even while we sleep. Most of this information is gathered in the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine.

The immune system is located in the intestines and is capable of identifying and destroying certain dangerous bacteria that enter our digestive system when we accidentally ingest contaminated food or water. The largest amount of serotonin in the entire body — 95% — is found in the intestines. This neurotransmitter is a critically important signaling molecule in the relationship between the digestive system and the brain.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects many bodily functions, such as intestinal peristalsis. It is also associated with many psychiatric disorders. Its concentration can be reduced by stress and it influences mood, anxiety, and happiness.

The immune cells that live in the intestines make up the majority of our body's immune system; in other words, there are more immune cells living in the intestines than circulating in the blood or bone marrow. This immune system located in the intestines is capable of identifying and destroying certain dangerous bacteria that enter our digestive system when we accidentally ingest contaminated food or water. The intestines collect information every millisecond about everything we eat and our environment, doing so twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, even while we sleep.

In this illustrative image, we can see the Vagus nerve, which directly connects the brain to the digestive system.

Let's look at some important aspects of the intestines.

When we say intestines, we are referring to the Duodenum, Jejunum, and Ileum, which together make up what we know as the small intestine.

The myenteric and submucosal plexuses

They are located along the walls of the small intestine, and it is worth noting that each plexus contains numerous neurons. This so-called plexus is responsible for intestinal movement. These plexuses are connected to the central nervous system through fibers that carry or transmit impulses or sensations from even the smallest details of the intestines to the brain.

I will give you a clear example of why they are so intimately connected (the digestive system and the brain): many people have experienced feelings of fear, heavy stress, or even adrenaline — normally we don't feel these sensations in our head, we feel them in our stomach and intestines. On various occasions, some people have become sick, particularly in the case of stress, which produces intestinal disorder and causes diarrhea.

When we suffer from disorders such as: Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, and obesity, among many others.

When there are not enough beneficial intestinal bacteria (microbiota or intestinal flora), the immune system is excessively stimulated and can in turn produce inflammation in the central nervous system, leading to neuronal disorders (of the nervous system).

That is to say, our immune system goes haywire, attacking the body itself, producing a disorder in our nervous system which, combined with poor nutrient absorption by the intestine, generates various disorders.

When is intestinal flora lost?

This begins during gestation, when the mother did not receive sufficient nutrients — and it is worth noting the role of genetic inheritance. Subsequently, the baby did not obtain enough beneficial bacteria while passing through the birth canal (in the case of cesarean section). As the human being grows, their body becomes populated with beneficial bacteria — not only for the intestine but also to sustain an optimally functioning nervous system, as we saw earlier.

There are many habits such as the intake of laxatives, drugs, antibiotics, smoking, alcoholism, a diet high in fats and low in fiber, and little physical activity — all of this will be reflected in the person's body. If they are an infant, it will result in delayed physical and intellectual growth, and in adults, weight loss will become increasingly evident, the immune system disorder will become more aggressive, and autoimmune diseases (such as sclerosis) may appear.

How do we recover it?

We must begin by gradually and properly cleansing our digestive system in the gentlest way possible, increasing the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted legumes, and small portions of nuts and dried fruits.

Most importantly, we should increase the intake of pre- and probiotics, which can be found in natural yogurts, capsule form, or in fermented products such as sauerkraut.

What are prebiotics? They are substances that are not digested by the body, but rather serve as food for specific groups of bacteria in the intestine. Therefore, we can encourage the bacteria that benefit us to increase their growth, while reducing that of those which are less beneficial," explained Dr. Francisco Guarner, from the Digestive System Department of the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, during his participation in the 'IV Conference on Inulin and Oligofructose,' organized by Orafti.

Probiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in the intestine and improve the overall health of the body, bringing benefits such as facilitating digestion and nutrient absorption, and strengthening the immune system.

In summary, our digestive system is an autonomous nervous system:

"Unlike any other organ in our body, our intestine can function on its own. It has its own autonomy to make decisions it does not need the brain to tell it what to do."

Take care of your gut today, and you will be taking care of your mind, your emotions, and your health for life.