Do You Have A Second Brain?
According to Michael Gershon you just might.
Here’s why…
The research world is moving as fast as your gut is and scientists are discovering some very powerful things.
There are numerous first-time developments showing us how our gut influences many behaviors in our body as well our overall health.
One of those behaviors is how our gut and brain talk to each other and dictate many health indicators.
This could be life altering in how we function, heal and reduce our risk of various diseases.
Just one example is with recent research that is unraveling the complexity of how probiotics are influencing conditions such as depression and autism in a positive way.
What scientists have discovered so far is that the gut bacteria your body creates produces “feel good” brain chemicals and also direct cell to cell communication. This according to Jack Challem who spoke at the Natural & Organic Products Europe Conference in London.
Jack also mentioned that the lymphatic system could be considered a pathway from your gut to your brain and we know the lymphatic system is a very influential controller of our health .
Essentially there is bidirectional communication between your gut and your brain. Some call this the gut-brain axis.
Knowing this information studies have focused on the possibility that microbial-based strategies through the use of probiotics and probiotics can be beneficial in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Other significant research has shown important roles in proper functioning of your metabolism. Researchers believe that this could lead to the understanding on how your gut bacteria plays a role in the how a person develops obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Is it possible your gut has its own brain or acts like your brain?
Neurons line the wall of your stomach and the alimentary gut canal contains over 100 million neurons. This canal contains more neurons than your spinal cord or your peripheral nervous system.
It does seem possible that your gut is a “second brain” with that many neurons.
This term was first coined by Michael Gershon, chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in New York.
Gershon has studied and noted that the process of breaking down food, absorbing nutrients and excreting waste involves numerous processes and that the gut must have evolved its own reflexes and senses to be able to control your gut behavior independently of the brain.
The food and nutrients you eat could have a bearing on your mood as well as your physical and mental well-being based on the research and information we have now.
In one study they found that 90% of the signals passing through the autonomic nervous system didn’t come from the brain, but instead from the gut.1
Hmmm, maybe our gut is behaving like a 2nd brain?…
The research studies that are underway right now in the gastroneuroenterology field are significantly going to provide new insights into the workings of your ‘second brain’ as well as its impact on your body and mind.
Bottom Line:
Your gut is far more powerful than we give it credit for and the foods we put into it may very well influence our mood, behavior, our bodyweight and our risk of future diseases.
The simple solution is to consume healthy foods that produce and provide good bacteria for your gut such as yogurts, soft cheeses, kefir, and sourdough bread.
To ensure a healthy gut consuming a probiotic supplement is another safe bet given the facts we now know.
Since good foods can provide good bacteria eating or drinking the wrong foods can also provide bad bacteria or kill off the good bacteria.
Probiotic supplementation may help ensure a healthy gut environment and keep your ‘second brain’ operating for optimal health.
One other topic that is growing rapidly in the medical world is our continuous chronic state of internal inflammation and how this influences and increases our risk for various diseases.
Probiotics may play a role in that as well. On the next page, you will discover how probiotics and your gut can lower this inflammation, therefore decreasing your risk of various diseases.
References:
- http://ajpgi.physiology.org/content/283/6/G1217.full
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