I recently came across the following articles of interest. It’s amazing how connected our brain is to what we eat and drink. The first part of the article, Signs Of Gut-Brain Imbalance: What You Need To Know – Part 1 covers how the gut and the brain are connected through a two-way communication system known as the gut-brain axis, which is heavily influenced by the gut microbiota.
“In the early 20th century, several isolated studies discovered a relationship between a person’s diet and mental health. Over one hundred years later, it’s increasingly accepted that the beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms living in our bodies are a crucial link between our diet and mental health by influencing the gut-brain axis.”
In addition, the microbiome encompasses the genomic contribution of microorganisms and plays a critical role in various processes crucial for human survival, such as digestion, hormone synthesis, and immune system function.
When our gut-brain axis doesn’t function properly, various disorders can surface, including functional gastrointestinal disorders, mood disorders, and autoimmune disorders.
As we digest our food, signals are sent to the brain to interpret and modify the nervous system, inflammation, and other bodily processes accordingly. So, the value of the quality and quantity of food we eat cannot be understated.
In part two, From Microbes To Mind: The Science Of The Gut-Brain Connection – Part 2, reports that “. . . 70-80% of the body’s immune cells are in the gastrointestinal tract. The immune system and the gut microbiota form a relationship where they assist and regulate each other.” The rest covers the importance of tryptophan metabolism, the vagus nerve as our major pathway for communication between the gut and the brain, along with the Enteric Nervous System, Short Chain Fatty Acids, Gut Bacteria and Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and Acetylcholine.