diarrhea,

bathrooms. Over time, not going ‘when nature calls’ can lead to a slowing of motility and even constipation. People also get diarrhea when they are stressed,” notes Drossman.

A whopping 95 percent of the hormone serotonin is produced in cells found in the gut lining. But wait, isn’t serotonin the “happiness” hormone?

The small percentage of serotonin produced in the brain is known to regulate mood and happiness. However, when produced in the gut, it has other tasks, such as stimulating the growth of nerve cells and putting the immune system on alert against germs and bacteria.

LINING OF THE GUT, AND IT’S CRUCIAL FOR PROTECTING YOUR BODY AGAINST BACTERIA AND VIRUSES.

Moses Maimonidies (Ramban), 1135-1204 A.D.

Serotonin is one reason feedback continually bounces back and forth between your brain and gut.

Josh Billings (pen name of Henry Wheeler Shaw), 1818-1885 A.D.

“When under stress, the brain sends down nerve signals to activate the gut nerves to produce diarrhea, pain and other symptoms. When these gastrointestinal symptoms are persistent, we call them functional GI disorders. The brain influences the gut, and the gut influences the brain,” notes Drossman.

“When you produce pain in the gut of laboratory animals, the stress centers in the brain fi re. The neurotransmitters in the brain also act in the gut and have diff erent functions but are present in both. Corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) is a stress hormone in the brain but an infl ammatory hormone in the gut. Many stressful conditions have infl ammation of the gut.”

Whether the average person consciously realizes this connection or not, they frequently acknowledge it in comments such as, “I can’t stomach that,” and “You make me sick.”

“Changes in emotional states can change GI function. It’s common for people to become constipated when traveling, because of holding back or not being comfortable using other

The enteric nervous system in the gut has as many nerves as the spinal cord,” adds Dr. Drossman.

The hundreds of millions of neurons in this system are so powerfully complex that the enteric nervous system is often referred to as “the second brain.” It’s in charge of your digestive process and is also crucial to your immune system.

It helps to think of the GI tract as its own “ecosystem,” populated by both good and harmful bacteria. When all is well in this internal ecosystem, the beneficial bacteria dominate the population. That’s a good thing because they perform myriad helpful tasks, such as assisting in the normal digestive process and even producing antibodies that fight infection. These “good bugs” also provide constant defense against potentially harmful microorganisms that can spell digestive trouble should the balance tip in their favor.

“The bacteria in the gut can provide a barrier to penetration of other bacteria. They help regulate the immunity of the gut mucosa; they may play a role in the regulation of certain diseases like diabetes, neural disorders and even one’s mental state. This is a new and developing area of research,” notes Drossman.

Imagine how an oil spill wreaks havoc with the ocean’s ecosystem, upsetting the natural balance. On a smaller scale, disturbances can occur in your GI system when you introduce substances such as antibiotics and other medications (both prescription and over the counter), preservatives and additives in processed foods, caffeine, alcohol and more. Although some of these substances may be helpful for specific reasons— think drugs for a specific medical condition or caffeine to help you stay awake on that long drive—they can upset the balance of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, laxatives and NSAIDS (including aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) destroy good bacteria as well as bad. When the good bugs die off, harmful

DO YOU NEED A PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT?

bacteria can multiply, producing toxins that can upset the digestive process and even weaken your immune response.

An imbalance of beneficial bacteria may cause the immune system to overreact and cause inflammation. It’s well known that inflammation is at the root of many diseases and other negative bodily conditions.

“Bad bacteria can alter the immunity of the mucosa lining the gut, and it can increase permeability of the mucosa; then toxins may go into the bowel. That can cause pain and diarrhea,” Drossman explains. “Good bacteria, or in some cases antibiotics, can shift this balance, generally for can shift this balance, generally for the better.

“When bad bacteria take over you can have an infection but also more subtle chronic symptoms can have an infection but also more such as irritable bowel syndrome bowel syndrome (IBS) and even inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),” he adds. “This is why there is marketing for probiotics for

PROBIOTICS ARE LIVING MICROORGANISMS (BENEFICIAL BACTERIA) SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND NATURALLY IN YOUR INTESTINAL “ECOSYSTEM.” PREBIOTICS ARE A FOOD SOURCE FOR PROBIOTICS AND ARE OFTEN INCLUDED IN SUPPLEMENTS TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH AND PROLIFERATION OF HELPFUL BACTERIA. A SUPPLEMENT CONTAINING BOTH PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS IS REFERRED TO AS A “SYNBIOTIC.” BECAUSE DIFFERENT PROBIOTICS HAVE DIFFERENT EFFECTS, IT’S WISE TO ASK YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BEFORE YOU START TAKING JUST ANY PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT. HE OR SHE CAN ADVISE YOU ON WHICH TYPE MAY BE MOST HELPFUL WITH YOUR SPECIFIC CONDITION.

REFERRED TO AS A “SYNBIOTIC.” BECAUSE DIFFERENT PROBIOTICS digestive health, and antibiotics can treat some GI diseases.”

The fast-paced, high-stress lifestyles so common in America today—not to mention our poor eating habits and junk food addictions—are constantly upsetting our GI ecosystems. Some researchers believe this ongoing imbalance has given rise to the food allergies and autoimmune diseases so prevalent in modern society.

Common Digestive Woes

HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THE GI TRACT OFTEN INCLUDE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS:

� BLOATING

� CONSTIPATION

� DIARRHEA

� HEARTBURN

� INCONTINENCE

� PAIN IN THE BELLY

� NAUSEA AND VOMITING

� SWALLOWING PROBLEMS

� WEIGHT GAIN OR LOSS

A doctor’s visit is necessary to determine the actual cause(s). Your doctor may order various testing, including colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, capsule endoscopy and/or endoscopic ultrasound.

Among the most common GI disorders are: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS): CHRONIC CONDITION AFFECTING THE LARGE INTESTINE (COLON)

Symptoms: Stomach cramps, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation

Treatment: Some people need medication; others can control symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress

CROHN’S DISEASE: A TYPE OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD) THAT CAUSES CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE ENTIRE DIGESTIVE TRACT

Symptoms: Abdominal pain and diarrhea (sometimes bloody), weight loss

Treatment: Lifestyle changes (exercise and healthy diet), over-the-counter antidiarrhetics and prescription anti-inflammatory medication

ULCERATIVE COLITIS: A TYPE OF IBD IN WHICH INFLAMMATION AFFECTS THE LARGE INTESTINE (COLON AND RECTUM)

Symptoms: Abdominal pain/discomfort, blood or pus in stool, fever, weight loss, frequent diarrhea, fatigue, reduced appetite, sudden and constant feeling of having to move the bowels

Treatment: Drug therapy; surgery may be required

GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD): DIGESTIVE DISORDER CAUSED WHEN THE LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER (RING OF MUSCLE BETWEEN THE ESOPHAGUS AND STOMACH) RELAXES INAPPROPRIATELY, ALLOWING STOMACH CONTENTS TO FLOW UP INTO THE ESOPHAGUS, CAUSING ACID INDIGESTION (HEARTBURN)

(HEARTBURN)

Symptoms: Acid indigestion/heartburn

Treatment: Lifestyle and dietary changes, including limiting foods that cause reflux, decreasing portion size; medication may also be useful

CELIAC DISEASE: AN IMMUNE REACTION TO EATING GLUTEN (A PROTEIN FOUND IN WHEAT, BARLEY AND RYE) THAT CAUSES INFLAMMATION, WHICH DAMAGES THE LINING OF THE SMALL INTESTINE AND PREVENTS ABSORPTION OF SOME NUTRIENTS

WHICH DAMAGES THE LINING OF THE ABSORPTION OF SOME NUTRIENTS

Symptoms: Bloating, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, heartburn, weight loss or weight gain, fatigue, joint pain, “brain fog” constipation, heartburn, weight loss or weight

Treatment: Eating a totally glutenfree diet

Eating For Better Gut Health

WHAT YOU EAT INFLUENCES THE HEALTH AND FUNCTION OF YOUR GI SYSTEM— FOR BETTER AND FOR WORSE.

“Overeating can lead to bloating and other abdominal discomfort,” says Drossman. “High-fat foods, alcohol, excess caffeine and sugar substitutes, such as sorbitol, can lead to diarrhea. Avoid excesses of these items, eat a balanced diet on a regular schedule and don’t overeat.”

The following basic guidelines can help make your GI system happier:

� CUT BACK ON PROCESSED FOODS.

� REDUCE MEAT CONSUMPTION.

� AVOID SIMPLE SUGARS AND STARCHES. (THEY’RE THE FAVORITE FOODS OF HARMFUL BACTERIA.)

� ELIMINATE HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP FROM YOUR DIET.

� AVOID ALL TRANS-FATS (“PARTIALLYHYDROGENATED” OILS).

� INCREASE FIBER INTAKE FROM FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

� EAT THE RIGHT BALANCE OF OMEGA-3 TO OMEGA-6 FATS (SWAP YELLOW COOKING OILS—CORN, VEGETABLE, CANOLA, ETC.—FOR COCONUT OIL AND BUTTER FROM GRASS-FED COWS).

� EAT MORE FERMENTED FOODS (SAUERKRAUT, KIMCHI, PICKLES, CHUTNEYS, YOGURT, BUTTERMILK, KEFIR, SOUR CREAM, ETC.).

� WATCH ALCOHOL INTAKE, AND IF YOU DO INDULGE, MAKE IT RED WINE. (POLYPHENOLS IN RED WINE HAVE BENEFICIAL PREBIOTICS HELPFUL FOR INCREASING THE RATIO OF GOOD GUT BACTERIA.)

� IF YOU EAT CHOCOLATE, CHOOSE DARK VARIETIES WITH AT LEAST 70 PERCENT CACAO CONTENT.

� CONSIDER TAKING A DAILY PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT.

Drossman adds that exercise and stress management are also crucial for optimal GI function. Exercise is especially helpful when you’re feeling stressed out. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, and practice deep breathing or other relaxation techniques that work for you.

Go Easy On The Meat

IN A RECENT STUDY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY SCIENTISTS FOUND THAT A DIET BASED AROUND MEAT INCREASES THE POPULATION AND ACTIVITY OF BILOPHILA WADSWORTHIA IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT. THESE PARTICULAR BACTERIA ARE TIED TO A HOST OF NASTY ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING INFLAMMATION, INCREASED BILE PRODUCTION AND COLITIS, AND ARE ALSO CAPABLE OF TRIGGERING INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD). WE’RE NOT SAYING YOU HAVE TO BECOME A VEGETARIAN, BUT IF YOU WANT TO EAT MEAT, EAT IT IN MODERATION, AND WHEN YOU DO, CHOOSE LEAN CUTS.