H E A LT H Y Y O U
Eat Your Way Clean STORY MICHELLE JOHNS
MA, LPC-MHSP (TEMP), NCC, 200 HR E-RTY, 500 HR RYT
a clean
digestive system optimizes the body’s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients. The digestive system often doesn’t receive as much attention as the heart, lungs and brain and is sometimes overlooked in regards to its importance for overall health and well-being. More than half of the immune system is located within the digestive tract. Our saliva and airways contain an enzyme that destroys bacteria. Mucus membranes in the bowel play a vital role in producing antibodies that find, mark and destroy pathogens, and remember pathogens for future protection. Additionally, 90 percent of serotonin receptors are located in the gut. Serotonin is the hormone responsible for transmission of nerve impulses between neurons (neurotransmission). It is involved in regulation of cardiac arrhythmia, neurological (brain) functioning, blood pressure, behavior, moods, memory functions and metabolic processes. Gut health is significant to both physical well-being (immune system) and mental health (brain functioning). The impact of gut health is evident in everyday life experiences as it is intimately connected to emotions, mood and overall functioning. Food intolerances or gut inflammation can contribute to behavioral issues. An improperly functioning digestive system can cause fatigue and sluggishness. Stress creates inflammation and often drives 86 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • April 2022
the urge to eat more inflammatory foods. Many digestive issues are directly related to diet and emotions. Three common digestive issues are gluten sensitivity, insufficient gut bacteria, and insufficient stomach acid. Side effects of these issues include gas, constipation, bloating, brain fog, indigestion, heartburn, leaky gut and irritable bowel syndrome. Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics may help alleviate these problems when accompanied by foods that also mitigate digestive issues. Before going into details on the right foods, let’s get a little better understanding of the impact of these issues. Gluten is a natural protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley and oats. These grains are found in popular menu items like pizza, hamburgers and breaded fried foods. An inflammatory response to gluten irritates the lining of the small intestine, disrupting its ability to absorb vital nutrients from foods to protect the body from infection. Additionally, a breakdown in the mucosal lining of the small intestine can cause leaky gut syndrome, which allows undigested food particles to pass through the intestinal barrier and into the bloodstream. This invokes an immune response in the blood and causes the immune system to fight unnecessarily. The stress can result in an autoimmune disease.
