Doctors share 4 ways that your intestinal health affects your brain
Your GI lecture could cause these problems - that's what you can do about it.
If you've heard the expression "trust your instinct" or if you've felt "butterflies in your stomach", you know that there is a long -established link between your intestine and your brain. But it turns out that the two are even more intimately connected than you think. Gastrointestinal tract problems (GI) can affect everything, mood and anxiety to cognitive decline . Read the rest to find out how your intestinal health could affect your brain and what to do on this.
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1 Your intestine could cause your stress and anxiety.
Your intestine is one of the main bridges in your brain. It absorbs nutrients from the food you eat, affecting How does your brain work . German communication between your brain and your intestine occurs via the vagus nerve , which plays an essential role in the ability of your body to "rest and digest".
When harmful bacteria proliferate in your intestine, this can cause inflammation of the vagus nerve and cause an increase in your cortisol levels, resulting in an increase in stress and anxiety.
This means that your food choices can cause your stress and anxiety. Ultra processed foods rich in sugar, refined carbohydrates and saturated fats (such as cookies, processed meats, candies, sodas, pastries, white bread and pasta) offer minimum nutritional value. These foods affect intestinal function and cutting -edge cortisol levels.
Conversely, whole foods from plant sources are full of nutrition and beneficial intestinal bacteria that can help fight inflammation and reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and professional exhaustion.
2 Your intestine could be behind the cerebral fog.
When your mind is constantly slow and foggy, it is normal to assume that you would see a neurologist to solve your problems. But altered intestinal health can be the underlying cause of your mental fatigue.
A 2015 study published in the journal Annals of gastroenterology found that A healthy intestine is imperative for a good cognitive function. Current gastrointestinal conditions that can lead to a lack of mental clarity include celiac disease, Crohn's disease, intestinal bacterial proliferation (SIBO), irritable colon syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory intestine disease (MII).
"Intestinal health can cause brain fog, fainting and headaches," explains gastroenterologist Eddie L. Copelin II , Md, mha. "The intestinal microbiome helps communication between the body external and internal environments . The disturbance of the balance of the microbiome, as can be seen under medical conditions such as SIBO, can cause bloating, fainting, brain fog and headache due to the malabsorption of nutrients and dehydration of diarrhea. »»
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3 Your intestine may have an impact on your mental health.
If you feel blue, your intestinal health might be to blame. A 2020 study Published in the journal Bake has shown a strong link between the intestinal microbiome and mental well-being.
Researchers have concluded that intestinal health could have a significant impact on stress, anxiety, depression and cognition. In addition, intestinal microbes affect the way you think and how the intestinal brain axis works in "management of several mental health problems and disorders".
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), gastropares (also called delayed gastric emptying) is A digestive condition This can negatively affect your mental health. Gastroparesis slows down or stops the movement of your stomach food to your small intestine, which has an impact on the connection of the intestinal brain.
«La gastroparésie donne la sensation de se sentir rassasié et, en retour, l'individu ne voudra pas par inadvertance de manger et peut perdre du poids», explique Copelin. “Psychological conditions can affect digestion, [provoking] a decrease in the appetite of slow intestinal motility. These conditions include depression. "
The physical symptoms of gastropares include nausea, vomiting, early or prolonged fullness, belching, bloating and abdominal pain. It should be noted that weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to cases of gastroparesis .
If you feel these symptoms with poor mental health, consult a gastroenterologist.
4 Your intestinal health could trigger cognitive decline.
Chronic inflammation of the intestine can cause neuroinflammation (inflammation of the brain) and trigger neurodegenerative diseases, according to a 2019 article in the journal Borders in aging neuroscience .
"The intestinal function plays a role in Alzheimer's disease, dementia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, parkinson and schizophrenia through billions of microbial cells that live in our intestinal wall", explains LIUDMILA SCHAFER , MD, FAPP, medical oncologist and founder of The doctor connects . "These microbial cells release chemicals that affect the immune system, which influences the nervous system."
If you are concerned about your intestinal health and how it could affect your brain function and your mental well-being, visit a gastroenterologist who can help you access the root of your underlying condition.
