Miscellaneous
The gut is one of the most influential organs; it supports almost all of your body’s functions by breaking down food and absorbing the nutrients you need. When it comes to overall health, the gut plays a crucial role in how the rest of your body functions. In this episode, we begin to break down the ins and outs of gut health, how you can optimize it, and why it’s so important. In this episode you’ll learn: What exactly the gut is About how often you should be going to the bathroom daily About the GI system and how it functions The importance of the microbiome in your GI tract How your gut supports your immune system Why it’s so important to have a balance of good bacteria and bad How the gut influences the brain Why stress can cause GI problems Why the Vagus nerve is so important to gut health How the gut is tied to serotonin levels How gut microbes make short chain fatty acids and what they do That low levels of BDNF are linked the depression and anxiety How gut biome can affect decision making How probiotics and gut health can affect your mood Why it’s so important to make sure you get a diverse probiotic How antibiotics can be helpful and why it’s important to be selective about when you take them Why it’s important to rebuild the good bacteria after antibiotics What prebiotics are What probiotics are Which foods can help support a healthy gut How NSAIDs like Ibuprofen can affect gut health Why recovery after a workout is tied to gut About resistant starches and why it’s important to let your carbs cool before eating them That omega 3’s help reduce inflammation in the body and gut Why you should always chew your food fully How digestive enzymes can be helpful About the role sleep plays in gut health What to look out for in processed foods How alcohol can affect your gut Ingredients to watch out for in processed meats Which foods have been shown to have anti inflammatory benefits Studies: Microbiome and Gut Dysbiosis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30535609 One study in humans found that people with IBS or Crohn;s disease had reduced vagal tone, meaning the function of the vagus nerve was impaired: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25207649 Up to 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut. (Some of this is produced by the microbes Cándida, streptococcus, escherichia, & enterococcus) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4393509/ Do your gut microbes affect your brain dopamine? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31098656 Increased colonic propionate reduces anticipatory reward responses in the human striatum to high-energy foods. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27169834 Butyrate, neuroepigenetics and the gut microbiome: Can a high fiber diet improve brain health? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26868600 Resistant starch: impact on the gut microbiome and health https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958166919301077d