awakening the mind in the gut

8/8/2019 Awakening the Mind in the Gut

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Awakening the Mind inAwakening the Mind in

the Gut: Gut Reactionsthe Gut: Gut ReactionsSiobhain O¶ Mahony PhDSiobhain O¶ Mahony PhD

Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre



OverviewOverview

The second brain: the gut has a mind of its ownThe second brain: the gut has a mind of its own

Two brains???Two brains??? Development of the two brainsDevelopment of the two brains

How the 2 brains interactHow the 2 brains interact BiBi--directional communication between the 1directional communication between the 1°° brainbrain

and the gutand the gut

Mind, body and SOUL?Mind, body and SOUL?

Psychonutrition???Psychonutrition??? Can foods alter you frame of mind?Can foods alter you frame of mind?

What can go wrong!What can go wrong! StressStress

Disorders of the gutDisorders of the gut



The second brainThe second brain

The gut has a mind of its ownThe gut has a mind of its own ± ± literally. It has itsliterally. It has its

own wellown well--developed nervous system that actsdeveloped nervous system that acts

independently of almost everything except your unconscious brain.independently of almost everything except your unconscious brain.

The Enteric Nervous System contains neurons and neurotransmittersThe Enteric Nervous System contains neurons and neurotransmitters just like those found in your skull. just like those found in your skull.

Over half of the nerve cells in your body are located in the gut.Over half of the nerve cells in your body are located in the gut.

Your ³gut brain´ is also able to learn, remember, and produce emotionYour ³gut brain´ is also able to learn, remember, and produce emotion--

based feelings.based feelings.

The expression ³gutThe expression ³gut--level feeling´ isn¶t just a ³saying.´level feeling´ isn¶t just a ³saying.´

We really do have feelings in our gut.We really do have feelings in our gut.



Two brains???Two brains???

During early fetal development both your gut and your primary brainDuring early fetal development both your gut and your primary brainstarted to develop from the same clump of embryonic tissue.started to develop from the same clump of embryonic tissue.

These become divided and one develops into your central nervousThese become divided and one develops into your central nervoussystem and the other into your enteric nervous system (your ³gut´system and the other into your enteric nervous system (your ³gut´

brain)brain)

During later stages of fetal development, these two brainsDuring later stages of fetal development, these two brains

then became connected via a massive nervethen became connected via a massive nerve ---- the vagusthe vagus

nerve.nerve.

The vagus nerve is the longest of all our cranial nerves,The vagus nerve is the longest of all our cranial nerves,and creates a direct connection between your brain andand creates a direct connection between your brain and

your gut.your gut.

Because of this direct brainBecause of this direct brain--gut connection,gut connection,

the state of your gut has a profound influencethe state of your gut has a profound influence

on your psychological well being.on your psychological well being.



BiBi--directional communicationdirectional communication

BiBi--directional braindirectional brain--gut interactions play angut interactions play animportant role in the regulation of many vitalimportant role in the regulation of many vitalfunctions in health and disease.functions in health and disease.

In healthIn health--regulation of digestive processesregulation of digestive processes

(including appetite and food intake), and the(including appetite and food intake), and thegut immune system.gut immune system.

In disease, altered brainIn disease, altered brain--gut interactions maygut interactions mayunderlie the symptom generation in functionalunderlie the symptom generation in functionalGI disorders (FGIDs), and in theGI disorders (FGIDs), and in the

pathophysiology of various eating disorders.pathophysiology of various eating disorders.

Routes of communication include:Routes of communication include: neural (physical connection)neural (physical connection)

immune systemimmune system

hormonal systemhormonal system

Psychological

Stress

Infection



StressStress

The hormonal stress system is one of the major routes of The hormonal stress system is one of the major routes of communication between the brain and the gut!communication between the brain and the gut!

Threat to homeostasis that evokes an adaptiveThreat to homeostasis that evokes an adaptiveresponse.response.

Healthy individualsHealthy individuals ± ± stress response systems arestress response systems areturned on and off quickly.turned on and off quickly.

Pathological stressors.Pathological stressors.

Genetic or early life events can alter ability to adapt toGenetic or early life events can alter ability to adapt to

stress.stress. Stress is a major component in functionalStress is a major component in functional

gastrointestinal disorders.gastrointestinal disorders.



Stress and the gutStress and the gut

Activation of the HPA axis

(ie CRF, ACTH, cortisol)

Increase in gut permeability

Increase in mucosal inflammation

Changes in GI motor function

Changes in gut flora

Stress



Mind, Body and SOUL?Mind, Body and SOUL?

Many mystical and natural healing practicesMany mystical and natural healing practices

consider the belly a major center of energy andconsider the belly a major center of energy and

higher consciousness.higher consciousness.

In China, the art of Tai Chi emphasise the lower In China, the art of Tai Chi emphasise the lower

abdomen as a major reservoir for life energy andabdomen as a major reservoir for life energy and

health. The belly is considered the ³dantian,´ ahealth. The belly is considered the ³dantian,´ a

key center for higher consciousnesskey center for higher consciousness

development.development.



Gut feelings: ChakrasGut feelings: Chakras

Subtle energetic system within each of usSubtle energetic system within each of us

comprised of 7 vital energy centers andcomprised of 7 vital energy centers and

3 interconnecting, parallel channels3 interconnecting, parallel channels

Govern specific aspects of our physical,Govern specific aspects of our physical,

psychological and spiritual beingpsychological and spiritual being Third centre in our subtle system is calledThird centre in our subtle system is called

"nabhi" or "Manipur" chakra. Its physical location is at about the level"nabhi" or "Manipur" chakra. Its physical location is at about the levelof the navelof the navel

Physically ,it deals with our organs of digestion, psychologically itPhysically ,it deals with our organs of digestion, psychologically it

deals with our sense of satisfaction and spiritually it deals both withdeals with our sense of satisfaction and spiritually it deals both withour "prosperity", "generosity" as well as with our innate sense of rightour "prosperity", "generosity" as well as with our innate sense of rightand wrong.and wrong.

Often that ³Gut Feeling´ is us being sensitive to the state of the NabhiOften that ³Gut Feeling´ is us being sensitive to the state of the Nabhichakrachakra



Branch of medicine that deals with nutrition and its effects on theBranch of medicine that deals with nutrition and its effects on thebrain chemistrybrain chemistry--orthomolecular psychiatryorthomolecular psychiatry

In the 1950s two psychiatrists, Dr. Abraham Hoffer and Dr. Osmond,In the 1950s two psychiatrists, Dr. Abraham Hoffer and Dr. Osmond,discovered that certain people showed signs of mental illness if theydiscovered that certain people showed signs of mental illness if they

were deficient in vitamin Bwere deficient in vitamin B33 (niacin)(niacin)

Other peoples mental illnesss could be helped byOther peoples mental illnesss could be helped by

administering large amounts of certain nutrients thatadministering large amounts of certain nutrients that

were either deficient in their dietwere either deficient in their diet for which thesefor which these

individuals had unusually high requirementsindividuals had unusually high requirements

1976, Dr Mackarness published a book titled ³Not all in the mind´1976, Dr Mackarness published a book titled ³Not all in the mind´--allergies in mentally ill patients may promote malabsorption leadingallergies in mentally ill patients may promote malabsorption leadingto deficieniesto deficienies

Psychonutrition???Psychonutrition???



Psychonutrition???Psychonutrition???

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter present in both the brain and the gut. It is involved inSerotonin is a neurotransmitter present in both the brain and the gut. It is involved inmood, sleep as well as gut motilitymood, sleep as well as gut motility

Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin and can be found in many foods such as turkey,Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin and can be found in many foods such as turkey,soyabean, watercress ect.soyabean, watercress ect.

The chemical linked with the ³high´ of being in love is calledThe chemical linked with the ³high´ of being in love is calledphenylethylalaninephenylethylalanine. It is derived from. It is derived from phenylalaninephenylalanine ± ± anan

amino acid found in many common foods including, of course,amino acid found in many common foods including, of course,

chocolatechocolate

Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated and grouped into two families, the omegaEssential fatty acids are polyunsaturated and grouped into two families, the omega--6 EFAs6 EFAsand the omegaand the omega--3 EFAs. Omega3 EFAs. Omega--3 is found in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, and fatty fish3 is found in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, and fatty fish

The predominant fatty acid found in fish oils are eicosapentaenoicThe predominant fatty acid found in fish oils are eicosapentaenoic

acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The human brainThe human brain

is one of the largest "consumers" of DHA.is one of the largest "consumers" of DHA.

Low DHA levels have been linked to low brain serotonin levels which again are connectedLow DHA levels have been linked to low brain serotonin levels which again are connectedto an increased tendency to depression, suicide, and violence.to an increased tendency to depression, suicide, and violence.



What can go wrong?What can go wrong?

Some individuals are more prone toSome individuals are more prone to

disorders than othersdisorders than others--predisposing factorspredisposing factors

Disorders of the Gastrointestinal tractDisorders of the Gastrointestinal tract Leaky gut syndromeLeaky gut syndrome

InfectionsInfections

Allergies Allergies

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)



Allergies Allergies

A food allergy is an immunologic response to a A food allergy is an immunologic response to a

food protein.food protein.

There are eight foods that account for 90% of all foodThere are eight foods that account for 90% of all food--allergicallergicreactions. These are: milk, egg, peanut, tree nut (walnut, cashew,reactions. These are: milk, egg, peanut, tree nut (walnut, cashew,

etc.), fish, shellfish and soy and wheat.etc.), fish, shellfish and soy and wheat.

There is no cure for food allergies. Treatment consists of avoidanceThere is no cure for food allergies. Treatment consists of avoidancediets, in which the allergic person avoids all forms of the food todiets, in which the allergic person avoids all forms of the food towhich they are allergic.which they are allergic.

Food allergy is distinct from food intolerance, which is not caused byFood allergy is distinct from food intolerance, which is not caused byan immune reaction.an immune reaction.

Persons diagnosed with a food allergy may carry an autoinjector of Persons diagnosed with a food allergy may carry an autoinjector of epinephrine wear some form of medical alert jewelry, or develop anepinephrine wear some form of medical alert jewelry, or develop anemergency action plan, in accordance with their doctor.emergency action plan, in accordance with their doctor.



Irritable Bowel SyndromeIrritable Bowel Syndrome Most common GI functional disorder diagnosed by gastroenterologistsMost common GI functional disorder diagnosed by gastroenterologistsaffecting about 5affecting about 5--10% of the population with female predominance of 210% of the population with female predominance of 2--3:13:1

Symptom complex including abdominal pain, altered bowel function,Symptom complex including abdominal pain, altered bowel function,bloating, mucosal inflammation, exaggerated stress response, increases inbloating, mucosal inflammation, exaggerated stress response, increases inplasma proplasma pro--inflammatory cytokinesinflammatory cytokines

Stress (including early life stress) plays a major role in the onsetStress (including early life stress) plays a major role in the onsetand exacerbation of symptoms in IBSand exacerbation of symptoms in IBS

Recent studies have shown that there may be aRecent studies have shown that there may be a

brainbrain--gut axis dysfunction involved in IBSgut axis dysfunction involved in IBS

Treatment options for IBS are symptom based and include:Treatment options for IBS are symptom based and include: LaxativesLaxatives

Loperamide (Imodium)Loperamide (Imodium)

Antispasmodics Antispasmodics

Antidepressants Antidepressants

Serotonin receptor agonists/ antaginstsSerotonin receptor agonists/ antaginsts



Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseInflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory conditions of the large intestineinflammatory conditions of the large intestineand, in some cases, the small intestine.and, in some cases, the small intestine.

The main forms of IBD are Crohn's disease andThe main forms of IBD are Crohn's disease andulcerative colitis(UC)ulcerative colitis(UC)

The main difference between Crohn's diseaseThe main difference between Crohn's diseaseand UC is theand UC is the locationlocation andand naturenature of theof theinflammatory changes.inflammatory changes.

Treatment includes:Treatment includes: ImmunosuppressionImmunosuppression

SteroidsSteroids

SurgerySurgery



ProbioticsProbiotics

Beneficial bacteria that can beBeneficial bacteria that can be

introduced into the digestiveintroduced into the digestive

system through food.system through food.

Probiotic foods are a group of functional foods. MostProbiotic foods are a group of functional foods. Mostcommercially promoted products with probioticcommercially promoted products with probioticproperties contain strains of Lactobacillus bacteria or properties contain strains of Lactobacillus bacteria or Bifidobacteria.Bifidobacteria.

Found to be effective in the treatment of some disordersFound to be effective in the treatment of some disordersof the gut that are associated with an imbalance in theof the gut that are associated with an imbalance in thegut flora.gut flora.

Illness, poor diet, stress, aging, infection by foodIllness, poor diet, stress, aging, infection by food

poisoning and the use of medications can disturb thepoisoning and the use of medications can disturb theflora balanceflora balance



Gillian McKeithGillian McKeith-- holistic nutritionistholistic nutritionist

³Empower ³Empower people to improve their people to improve their

lives through information, food andlives through information, food and

lifestyle´.lifestyle´.

Faeces analysis!!!!Faeces analysis!!!!



Keeping the balance right!Keeping the balance right!

This gut flora has incredible power over your This gut flora has incredible power over your

immune system, which, of course, is your body'simmune system, which, of course, is your body's

natural defence system that keeps you healthynatural defence system that keeps you healthy

Therefore maintenance of a healthy gut isTherefore maintenance of a healthy gut isessentialessential

Intelligent eatingIntelligent eating

Know your own systemKnow your own system



Thanks for your attentionThanks for your attention

awakening the mind in the gut

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