Our gut is an amazing intricate system of nature. When I first came across its importance, I wasn’t really sure what to think of it. I have heard of leaky gut, crohn’s disease and so on for such a long time. After learning more about my own disease and how the gut and microbiome have an influence on it, a switched was changed in my brain and I certainly treated the information differently than I had ever before.
Diagnosed with an auto-immune disease in my early teens, mood swings and emotional breakdowns came regular. When thoughts about purposely leaving earth came to mind, I thought it was normal to think like that as a teenager. Looking back now, I was extremely lucky that I never took any advanced actions on those specific thoughts.
A couple of years ago, I have learned about the gut-brain axis and I have found out that there is a second brain in our gut. How crazy is that? Let’s talk a little bit more about the microbiome and see what this “second brain” is all about.
- There are about 160 different “gangs” of gut bacteria in our system which accumulates to about 1.5 kg of gut bacteria in the human body, which are always differently composed. 100 trillion of those bacteria take care of our health.
- In the human body we have about 22,000 genes. 1 of the gut bacteria has 5,000 genes alone which accumulates to 3,3 million genes when you combine all of the bacteria. This gives the saying “You are not alone!” a whole different meaning.
When we take a look at what those gut bacteria’s are tasked with, we understand what it means to live in dysbiosis:
- Destruction of indigestible food
- Protection from germs
- Stimulation of the immune system
Results of dysbiosis:
- Chronic inflammation of the colon
- Diabetes, arthritis, neurodermatitis
- MS
- Asthma
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
- Certain tumors
- Psychological illnesses (80% of serotonin is produced by the bacteria in the colon)
- Behavior disorders
- Autoimmune diseases
The following quote is from Prof. Dr. Thomas C. Baghai, at the University of Regensburg, Germany: “Depression is not only associated with the brain, but also with the colon”.
So if we know that there is a dysbiosis, how can we influence the microbiome in a positive way?
Although the microbiome is pretty stable for the most part after the first year of life, it’s not a static, but a dynamic system. Meaning, the microbiome can be changed. But only, as long it is coming from the outside. What are the different options?
- Sport: Regular movement influences the microbiome in the colon – and that independently from our diet.
Bacteria that produce short-chained fatty acids, play a crucial role in that process. They reproduce especially heavily if their host is physically active and lean. Physical activity increases the concentration of short-chained fatty acids like Butyrat. Genetic tests confirm that it also is associated with a change in the microbiome. The effect was especially strong with lean/slim participants, but disappeared when participants focused on their sitting activity.
- Fiber: On average our intake of fiber is not enough (30 to 40 g/day is recommended; we won’t usually even make it to 18g/day.) Scientists agree about the connection between fiber and short-chained fatty acids: certain bacteria in the colon use fiber as their nutritional source. In exchange bacteria produce short-chained fatty acids. The key to a good health seems to be the ability of short-chained fatty acids to positively change the colon flora and to correct an inconvenient composition of bacteria in the colon.
- Probiotics: Probiotics are live bacteria that evoke positive impacts for the body when absorbed in the colon. The concept: Harmful bacteria getting replaced by useful/beneficial ones in the colon flora. It’s recommended to take by food intolerances, intervention in the existing microbiome system.
- Fecal transplantation: Although this sounds crazy, it slowly makes its appearance all around the world. The feces of a donor will be transplanted to the receiver who doesn’t have an optimal microbiome. Transplantation so far shows tremendous results. However, eating habits of the receiving person have to be changed.
In addition to probiotics, as mentioned in the list above, the following supplements have also shown to be helpful when it comes to mood disorders all the way up to depression. You will have to try what works for you and seek the professional advice of a practitioner, like Dr. Teralyn, for proper dosing as well. I would be glad to provide you with a good source for these supplements should you wish to place an order.
- Vitamin B: “The production of nerve messengers (neurotransmitters depends on B-vitamins. For example, a lack of serotonin triggers depression. Mood swings and depression can often be traced back as a symptom of a bad B-vitamin supply. In combination with a low folate- and vitamin B12 supply, the risk for depression even doubles.
- Vitamin C and E: Free radicals in your body can directly damage the nervous tissue. Therefore, you want to make sure to protect against free radicals, especially the 100 billion neurons that are in your brain.
- DHA: In a study with rats in a maze, that was conducted at the University of California, LA, scientists found out that DHA compensates for sugar. Knowing this, could help so many patients with depression, bipolar disorders, general brain disorders and even Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients. (The best combination for DHA to be best absorbed by our body is a combination of 60mg EPA and 430mg DHA per 20kg of body weight.)
Guest blog post by Christina Hall, certified Wellness Coach and Life Coach.
Although I have a MBA in marketing and international management and have worked in the corporate world in America and Europe for over 10 years, I eventually found my purpose and passion in my late twenties/early thirties. Longing to healing my own ailments and diseases that I was struggling with, I soaked up everything that I could about nutrition, micronutrients, alternative medicine and orthomolecular medicine. Now I am just happy that I am able to be on top of my own health and being able to share my findings and education with others that are ready to take the next step in their health journey as well.
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