Health
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Begins in the Gut By Theresa Edmunds, CHC
SPRING 2021
18
“Symptoms seemly unconnected to the digestive system, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, brain fog, headaches, skin conditions, and mood or behavioral problems are all related to a compromised gut.” —Theresa Edmunds, CHC
I
t is estimated that 70% of our immune system is regulated by the digestive system, otherwise known as the gut. Interestingly, gut health is often overlooked even though the gut contains ten times the health-determining bacteria than the rest of the body and is one of the most important factors in immune health. With COVID-19, many of us are now even more concerned about our immune systems. Having a healthy gut means having a strong immune system, which is more important now than ever. There are millions of microbes living in our bodies that serve various functions; in fact, we wouldn’t be alive without them. These microbes are particularly plentiful in our digestive tract. We each have between three and five pounds of microbes living in our gut, made up of good and bad bacteria.
Balancing Bacteria
In a balanced system, the good bacteria make up about 85% of the bacteria in our digestive system, with the bad bacteria making up the remainder. The good microbial flora is supposed to keep the bad bacteria under control. Unfortunately, for most people today that ratio is inverse: 85% bad bacteria to 15% good bacteria. This is known as gut dysbiosis. Good bacteria have a significant role to play not only in the digestive system, but also in the rest of the body. Today, many people are suffering with digestive complaints, some previously unheard of a generation ago. Acid
reflux, indigestion, heart burn, constipation, and IBS, along with more serious diseases such as diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease are becoming quite common.
Why “Bad” Bacteria Are Bad
When the bad bacteria begin to run rampant, we experience significant health problems. Not only can the bad bacteria cause damage to the small intestine, they also release toxins into the body and hinder important functions in the body and brain—meaning that gut health influences many diseases, not just digestive complaints. Autoimmune illness, autism, food allergies, and eczema are strongly linked to gut flora imbalances. These microbes have the ability to affect our mood and behavior as well. The gut is actually known as the second brain, because it is so closely tied to and regulates so many functions of the brain. The gut manufactures neurotransmitters (brain chemicals); 80% of serotonin is manufactured in the digestive tract. Scientists have actually found neurons (brain cells) living in the digestive system. Symptoms seemly unconnected to the digestive system, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, brain fog, headaches, skin conditions, and mood or behavioral problems are all related to a compromised gut. Doctors and scientists now know that issues in the gut are far reaching and extend beyond the digestive system.
