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Gut Brain Dysfunction

THE “GUT-BRAIN AXIS”

INTRODUCTION

Whether or not it started there, whatever is ailing you has by now likely wreaked havoc with your gastrointestinal tract, or gut. It is for that reason, nearly all of our treatment interventions begin with “sealing and healing” your gut.

If you already know or strongly suspect that your gut is at least partially involved in your unique cluster of symptoms then read “The Short Version” below and take action. If on the other hand you need convincing please read our entire web-page on the “Gut-Brain Axis.”

Lastly, if you’re just bored and cruising around the internet, you need to get out more. No wonder your gut is such a mess.

THE SHORT VERSION: “SEAL AND HEAL” YOUR GUT

The genes you inherit combined with myriad life stressors (emotional conflict, lousy diet, environmental toxins, sleep deprivation, sedentary lifestyle, running the pace that kills, etc.) alters the balance of microbial powers that compete for prime real estate within your gut (dybiosis). This dysbiosis causes unchecked total body (and brain) inflammation that results in imbalances in your hormones, neurotransmitters, immune cells, growth factors, and metabolic parameters. These imbalances in turn, based again on your genetic susceptibilities, result in your specific symptoms.

Rather than focus exclusively on relieving your down-stream symptoms, we strongly advocate intervening way upstream. Since we can’t change your genetic endowment, and because eliminating/reducing life stressors takes time, the farthest upstream we can get is to “seal and heal” your gut at the same time we are measuring – on the way to correcting – your hormonal, neurotransmitter, and immune imbalances.

For a nauseatingly thorough review of our approach to general adrenal support, please see Dr. Dave’s Four Faces of Adrenal Fatigue.

The graphic below summarizes our theory of the diseases of civilization as well as gives our general approach to health:

  • Test don’t guess
  • Lifestyle modification
  • “Seal and Heal” your gut
  • Lower inflammation
  • Rebuild your adrenal glands
  • Support your neurotransmitters
  • Eliminate dietary toxins
  • Manage your stress

Dr. Dave's IP Approach - Top Ten

 

THE LONG VERSION: THE “GUT-BRAIN AXIS” AND DISEASES OF CIVILIZATION (DOCS)

For more details about the likely connection between your symptoms and disease(s) of civilization and your gut, please read the following sections.

Diseases of Civilization (DOCs) – heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, depression, dementia, arthritis, pain, asthma, irritable bowel, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and so on and so forth – are on the rise. The reasons for this are numerous and can be summarized as follows:

  • DOCs are on the rise, “…at least in part, as a result of environmental changes that have increased the disease liability of genetic profiles that were previously benign.”
  • These environmental changes – poor nutrition, environmental toxins, stress, the fast pace of modern life, sleep deprivation, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, allergens, hormonal imbalances, medications – have caused an epidemic of increased total body inflammation.
  • Multiple lines of study have shown that the primary cause of this environmental associated inflammation may be dysfunction of the “gut-brain axis.”*

(*Cordain L, Eaton SB, Sebastian A, Mann N, Lindeberg S, Watkins BA, O’Keefe JH, Brand-Miller J. Origins and evolution of the Western diet: health implications for the 21st century. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Feb;81(2):341-54. Raison CL, Lowry CA, Rook GA. Inflammation, sanitation, and consternation: loss of contact with coevolved, tolerogenic microorganisms and the pathophysiology and treatment of major depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010 Dec;67(12):1211-24.)

The following sections elaborate on these themes and explain why “sealing and healing” the gut is one of our core interventions no matter what disease of civilization you suffer from.

Of course, since we are psychiatrists, our principle focus is on your brain.

 

HOW YOUR GUT AFFECTS YOUR BRAIN

Did you know that your gut has its own brain? It does and it is known as the enteric nervous system. This nervous system is a complex bundle of neurons that is tucked away in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon. Like the brain, it has its own set of neurotransmitters for sending messages between nerve cells, and it has the ability to learn and remember. The brain and the enteric nervous system are actually developed from the same fetal tissue, but they are considered separate entities. They are connected by a long nerve “cable” known as the vagus nerve, and the two systems are in constant communication through neurotransmitter feedback along this nerve pathway.

A number of lines of research suggest a direct connection between the gut, activities of the brain, such as mood and behavior, and the micro-organisms that live in your gut (gut microbiota). For example, scientific studies in humans show that negative emotions (sadness, fear, and anger) are often associated with the development of acute GI infections. Conversely, chronic GI inflammation exerts multiple effects on mood, including symptoms of depression and fatigue. Risk factors for the development of irritable bowel syndrome include adverse life events, depression, and fretfulness. A recent study of the neurological and immune effects of a probiotic strain of Bifidobacteria infantis in rats suggests that this probiotic could have antidepressant effects.

Such findings showcase the close relationship between your intestinal tract, your brain, and your gut microbiota and support the use of probiotics and other measures not only for maintenance of intestinal health alone but also to address symptoms of some of our most common diseases of civilization (Grenham S, Clarke G, Cryan JF, Dinan TG. Brain-gut-microbe communication in health and disease. Front Physiol. 2011;2:94.)

 

“GUT-FEELINGS”

Referring to a certain presentiment as a “gut feeling” is not so far off the mark; and having “butterflies in your stomach” when you are feeling anxious is more than just a metaphor. If what goes on in the brain can affect the enteric nervous system, then it is not surprising that what goes on in the gut can have a direct impact on the brain.

After all, there are 10X more bugs in your gut than cells in your entire body. Makes you wonder who’s in charge. Indeed, there are 500X more bugs in your gut than stars in the Milky Way. Hmmm!

 

GUT-BRAIN BALANCE

A healthy digestive system is full of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria make vitamins that are essential to our health, such as vitamin K (needed for bone formation and blood clotting); and biotin, a B-complex vitamin necessary for activating enzymes that convert food to energy. The good bacteria also regulate the metabolism of cholesterol, detoxify poisons, and help to maintain a normal pH balance in the stomach.

As long as these beneficial organisms are in charge, the gut functions efficiently and sends positive feedback to the brain.

On the other hand, there are many things that can affect proper balance in the gut. This potentially unhealthy imbalance of microbial powers is often referred to as dysbiosis. In such a state of dysbiosis, “bad” bacteria, toxins in food, food allergens, yeast, and undigested food particles can precipitate a series of neurological and immune system responses that interfere with healthy brain function and disrupt communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

A healthy microbiota contains a balanced composition of many classes of bacteria. Symbionts are organisms with known health-promoting functions. Commensals are permanent residents of this complex ecosystem and provide no benefit or detriment to the host (at least to our knowledge). Pathobionts are also permanent residents of the microbiota and have the potential to induce pathology. In conditions of dysbiosis there is an unnatural shift in the composition of the microbiota, which results in either a reduction in the numbers of symbionts and/or an increase in the numbers of pathobionts.

The causes for this are not entirely clear, but are likely to include recent societal advances in developed countries. The result is non-specific inflammation, which may predispose certain genetically susceptible people to specific diseases of civilization. Hence the progression from genes and environment through your gut to your unique brand of disease.

Why should the gut figure so prominently in diseases of civilization including mental disorders? We believe that the composition of your microbiota can either shape a healthy “right-sized” immune response to life stressors or it can increase your risk for diseases of civilization.

After all, nearly three quarters of all your immune cells reside in your GI tract. The brain is alerted to inflammation by the immune system via protein molecules known as cytokines; in response, the brain releases stress hormones, and neurotransmitter levels are altered. This can lead to a variety of brain symptoms:

  • Anxiety, obsessions, compulsions
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Anhedonia (loss of pleasure in previously enjoyable activities)
  • Inability to sleep or desire to sleep all the time
  • Fuzzy thinking
  • Poor memory
  • Impaired concentration and attention

Moreover, when you are in a state of dysbiosis, partially digested food proteins called peptides, that under normal conditions cause no problems, become toxic to the gut and can interfere with gut-brain communication. These toxins can trigger or perpetuate mood and behavioral problems such as:

  • ADHD
  • Depression
  • Autism
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, diabetes, psoriasis, thyroid disease, and multiple sclerosis.

If that’s not bad enough, fermentation of certain starches produces toxic levels of ammonia, which can result damage to brain cells, causing:

  • Cognitive impairment
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Emotional reactivity

 

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF DYSBIOSIS

Digestive system balance can be upset by a number of elements, including diet, medications, stress, toxins and other environmental factors.

  • Poor diet is a big contributor to brain-gut imbalances. A diet low in fiber and high in added sugars and preservatives can alter the environment in the gut, allowing the bad bacteria to take over.
  • Food allergies like Celiac disease (gluten intolerance) can cause inflammation and malabsorption of nutrients.
  • Medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, steroids, and acid blockers can all prevent the digestive system from doing its job properly.
  • Environmental toxins like heavy metals can damage normal function of the gut and prevent absorption of important nutrients.
  • Alcohol can damage the lining of the gut, allowing toxins to leak into the blood stream.
  • Excessive stress can cause damage to the intestinal lining as well, disrupting proper digestive function.
  • Overgrowth of yeast and bacteria can change the environment and prevent proper nutrient absorption.

When any of these occur, gut-brain balance is thrown into chaos. Neurotransmitters send faulty messages, causing a multitude of health problems; the body is also prevented from absorbing the nutrients it needs to maintain healthy function.

 

SYMPTOMS OF GUT-BRAIN IMBALANCE:

IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS, CHANCES ARE GOOD THAT YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM IS OUT OF BALANCE, SPELLING BAD NEWS FOR YOUR HEALTH:

  • Bloating;
  • Nausea after taking dietary supplements;
  • Canker sores, sores on the tongue;
  • White coating on the tongue;
  • Chronic heartburn;
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain;
  • IBS;
  • Chronic yeast infections;
  • Craving for sweets/carbohydrates;
  • Chronic fatigue;
  • Fibromyalgia;
  • Hives;
  • Psoriasis or eczema;
  • Acne or rosacea;
  • Mood disorders like anxiety or depression;
  • Behavioral disorders such as autism or ADD/ADHD.

 

TESTING FOR GASTROINTESTINAL DYSFUNCTION

If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms, or if you believe you are at risk for imbalance due to stress, overuse of medications, alcohol consumption, or dietary concerns, it is recommended that you be tested for digestive dysfunction. There are a number of tests available which can help to determine the cause of your symptoms and indicate the proper treatment.

  • H. Pylori testing can detect a common bacterial infection in your stomach and small intestine. H. Pylori tests consist of either a blood antibody test, stool sample, stomach biopsy, or urea breath test.
  • CBC (Complete Blood Count) testing can pinpoint abnormalities in white blood cells which can be an indication of infection.
  • Breath testing for small bacterial overgrowth can be used to diagnose lactose intolerance, Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease (inflammatory bowel disease), and IBS.
  • IgG Food Allergy testing detects antibodies produced by food allergies.
  • Digestive stool analysis can uncover problems with metabolic function, nutrient absorption, immune function, and digestive enzyme activity.
  • Intestinal permeability tests can detect leaky gut syndrome, which is linked to many physical and mental health issues.
  • Organic acids tests look for overgrowth of yeast and harmful intestinal bacteria.
  • Urine Peptides are globally associated with an increase in neurologic and psychiatric imbalance.

 

TREATMENT FOR DIGESTIVE DYSFUNCTION

For all of the health issues that can be caused by an imbalance in the gut, digestive dysfunction can be treated relatively easily.

  • Remove yeast and other harmful organisms from your gut by eliminating the foods that they thrive on, including sugars and refined carbohydrates.
  • Eliminate common food allergens such as milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and fish from the diet for 6 weeks, then reintroduce them slowly, one at a time, to uncover any food sensitivities you may have.
  • Repair leaky gut with nutrients that heal the intestinal lining, such as zinc, glutamine (an amino acid needed for digestion), and essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 and GLA.
  • Replace depleted digestive enzymes with daily supplements.
  • Replenish good bacteria with probiotics.
  • Repair inflammation in the gut caused by food allergies with daily quercitin, a plant-based flavonoid which has healing properties.

By following these simple steps to better digestive health, you can restore balance to your gut. By improving digestive function, you will feel energized and healthy; with your enteric nervous system working properly, you will experience increased mental clarity and a greatly improved sense of well-being and emotional balance.

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