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Read MoreWhy the Gut?
Gut is a term used to describe the digestive and intestinal systems, basically everything from your mouth to your anus. Sounds simple, but it is really a very complex area of the body. I believe it is the key to total wellness due to its connection to all 10 body systems. Let’s check it out.
Digestive System:
The digestive system is part of the gut and is responsible for ingestion of the food, the release of digestive enzymes and juices, and transport of food and subsequent waste through the body, and the breakdown of food into smaller pieces during digestion. The digestive system uses the food that you feed it to produce energy, but if you are consuming food with a poor nutritional profile it may be taking more energy to process than it is giving to your body. Which sounds like a weight loss dream scenario, but in actual fact it is draining you of energy making you feel tired and hangry. Another common issue in the digestive system is low stomach acid. Low stomach acid can contribute to reflux, slow stomach emptying, overgrowth of bad bacteria and yeasts, low mineral absorption (anemia), food allergies/intolerances, poor macronutrient breakdown, added stress on pancreas and gallbladder, bloating, belching after meals, indigestion, dysregulated bowel movements, skin and nail issues, even some autoimmune issues.
Intestinal System:
This system is also part of the gut and is responsible for the uptake of nutrients, and the release of waste products. The helpful bacteria in the intestinal system help to create vitamins and nutrients for the body, and help to absorb minerals and produce digestive enzymes to assist with digestion. Issues like dysbiosis, leaky gut, parasite growth , dysregulation in bowel movements, irritable bowel, and yeast overgrowth (candidiasis) can pop up due to an imbalanced intestinal system. Mood issues, weight issues, food cravings, skin issues, inflammatory issues, food sensitivities, brain fog, immune issues, and low energy could be present if there are intestinal issues.
Immune System:
Over 70% of the immune system is in the gut. The bacteria that live in the gut contribute to your immune tolerance. If there are issues with allergies/hypersensitivities, immunodeficiencies, autoimmunity, and inflammation they could be attributed to gut imbalances. Food intolerances, skin rashes, psoriasis, eczema, weight gain, fatigue, mood issues, joint pain, brain fog, and muscle aches could be some signs that the immune system with gut involvement could be an issue.
Cardiovascular System:
Gut inflammation is becoming more recognized as one of the key factors in the relationship between gut health and cardiovascular disease. When substances from the gut leak into the bloodstream, they can trigger systemic inflammation, which can be a risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Chronic inflammation can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Gut health can also imbalance blood pressure. Inflammation in the gut can disrupt the balance of the microbiome, contributing to the production of substances which could increase blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor in CVD. Oxidative stress can occur when there is an imbalance of free radicals to the ability of the body to neutralize them with antioxidants. Free radicals are nasty oxygen-containing molecules with an unpaired electron which makes it unstable. Because they are unstable they will try to take electrons from other molecules, this can damage DNA, cells and proteins. When oxidative stress is chronic, it can damage cells and tissue which can contribute to chronic diseases like CVD. A healthy gut microbiome can cope with oxidative stress, some good bacteria produce metabolites which have antioxidant properties, which help to neutralize free radicals. However, the opposite is also true: inflammation in the gut (often from an imbalance of good to bad bacteria) can exacerbate oxidative stress. Inflammation = more free radicals = further gut damage and increased inflammatory issues = spill over into the bloodstream which can imbalance other organs including the heart.
Muscular System:
Proper absorption of minerals, primarily through the gut, is essential for maintaining the health of bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. Key nutrients like calcium, amino acids, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin D are all absorbed in the small intestines. When the gut is compromised, as in the case of leaky gut, it can trigger systemic inflammation. This inflammation may affect the joints and muscles contributing to conditions like arthritis and potentially leading to autoimmune disorders.
Endocrine System:
Endocrine system is responsible for producing and releasing hormones into the blood. Hormones are like a little mail delivery service sending messages throughout the body and regulate all body systems. Hormones are responsible for mood, sleep, metabolism, growth, blood sugar, body temperature, secretions in the stomach, heart rate, and immune response. The endocrine system is connected to the gut through the gut brain axis. Through the gut-brain axis the gut can communicate to the brain and the endocrine system to regulate different systems. The gut itself produces hormones which are necessary for digestion and metabolism. Ghrelin aka the hunger hormone is one of those hormones. Ghrelin signals the brain to increase appetite. Peptide YY (PYY) which is released by the small intestine decreases appetite and slows down gut motility after eating. There are also hormones which release digestive enzymes, promote feelings of satiety, enhance insulin secretion, and slow gastric emptying. The microbiome plays a big role in regulating various hormones. Like serotonin, the mood regulating neurotransmitter which acts like a hormone, it also affects digestion, and sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic 90% of the serotonin produced in your body is produced in the gut. The gut also impacts insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism through its effects on other hormones and influencing the absorption of nutrients. Dysbiosis and gut inflammation can contribute to blood sugar imbalances like insulin resistance. The gut also affects thyroid function. Gut bacteria are needed to convert inactive thyroid hormone T4 into active form T3. Thyroid imbalances, issues with metabolism, energy levels, and weight management could be attributed to gut health imbalances.
Reproductive System:
The reproductive system is dependent on the health of other body systems like the endocrine, nervous and cardiovascular system, and these systems are reliant on the health of the gut. The microbiome helps to regulate female sex hormones and as imbalance in the gut could contribute to issues like estrogen dominance, menstrual irregularities, endometriosis, and other hormone related issues. Chronic gut inflammation can also impact fertility in women and contribute to inflammatory conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). During the creation of life (pregnancy) the gut must undergo changes to help with the health of the mother and the growing fetus. A healthy gut can lower risks for issues like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
Nervous System:
Ever heard of the enteric nervous system? It’s the nervous system in the gut. It is part of the autonomic nervous system which helps to control involuntary actions of the body. The brain and the gut work together to send messages, ever had a gut feeling? Or gone with your gut? Those could be signs from the enteric nervous system. Stress is a major way in which the nervous system and gut are connected, the health of your gut can influence how stressed you feel. There is a system called the HPA-axis (hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal axis). The limbic system in the brain which contains the amygdala flips the switch when stress is sensed in the brain, this turns on the cascade effect of the HPA-axis. First the hypothalamus releases stress hormone CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone), the release of CRH triggers the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into the bloodstream which travels to the adrenal glands. The adrenals then release cortisol, the primary stress hormone. When cortisol is released in response to stress it has various effects on the gut. It can influence gut motility, increase gut permeability (leaky gut), and can negatively influence bacterial balance in the gut, and contribute to dysbiosis. The gut microbiome (bacterial balance) can influence the HPA axis by producing metabolites which can affect brain function and stress response. If the gut is healthy it can regulate the stress response, but if there is an imbalance it could contribute to exaggerated HPA-axis activity and increased cortisol levels. The gut and the brain have bidirectional communication through the gut-brain axis. Stress can influence the health of the gut and the gut health can modulate the stress responses. This relationship highlights the importance of managing stress and maintaining a healthy gut for overall well being. This is also why chronic stress can be so dangerous to the health of the body. Chronic activation of the HPA-axis due to prolonged stress can contribute to persistent high levels of cortisol, which can impact mood, blood sugar issues, and irritable bowel.
Urinary System:
The large intestine and the urethra in both males and females and the vagina in females has a physical intersection of bacteria which can contribute to infections. Dysbiosis in the gut can contribute to leaky gut which can allow harmful bacteria into the bloodstream and reach the urinary tract, which can also increase the risk for infections. The gut microbiome can also influence the urinary tract microbiome health gut = healthy urinary tract. Chronic gut inflammation can influence the immune system and make the body more susceptible to infections (UTI’s) and other conditions like interstitial cystitis which is a chronic bladder issue.
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