Why Are Nutrition and Gut Health Important?

Gut health affects our entire body. But did you know that brain and gut health are interconnected?

Scientific research in recent years has revealed a fact that has radically changed what we know about human health. We have learned that the brain and intestines are organs that are in constant communication with each other and that affect each other. Our intestines, referred to as the “second brain,” play a critical role not only in the digestive system but also in our mental health. This two-way communication between the brain and intestines affects many factors, from the immune system to mood, from stress management to general energy levels.

The Relationship Between the Gut and the Brain

Dr. İrem Önlen, a specialist from Acıbadem LifeClub Healthy Living Services , said the following about the relationship between the brain and the gut: “We hear this expression very often lately. This is because the gut is closely interacting and communicating with hormonal activity and the nervous system. 90% of serotonin, known as the happiness hormone, is produced in a healthy gut. A significant portion of the calming neurotransmitter called GABA is produced by bacteria in a healthy gut. Of course, the relationship between the interaction of these neurotransmitters with our brain through sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve networks and our mood is still a subject of research that has not been clearly established.”

What is the Gut Microbiome?

Specialist Dr. İrem Önlen stated that the intestinal flora is formed during the neonatal period , saying, “The surface area of ​​the digestive tract is 250-400 m2, which is about the size of a tennis court. Approximately 2 m2 of the human body is covered by skin and 400 m2 by mucosal surface. The number of bacteria living on the skin and mucosal surfaces (in the intestinal system, skin, urogenital system, mouth and nasal cavities) is greater than the number of the person's own cells. While the normal flora of the Gastrointestinal System (GIS) is sterile at birth, it is acquired during the neonatal period. This flora is formed by factors such as the mother's diet, whether or not she takes probiotics, the type of delivery (vaginal or surgical), gestational age, and the baby's feeding method (breast milk or formula).”

How Does Stress Affect the Gut?

Dr. [Name], a specialist physician from Acıbadem LifeClub . İrem Önlen underlined that stress is a biological response mechanism that affects the body physically, emotionally, and mentally: “Several ways in which stress regulates the structure and activity of the gut microbiota have been elucidated. In particular, catecholamines and other neuroendocrine hormones directly regulate microbial growth and are secreted by intestinal cells in the GI tract in response to stress. In addition, stress-induced changes in signaling via the vagus nerve and enteric nervous system alter intestinal motility and reduce digestive activity, possibly affecting the gut microbiota by regulating physical forces in the GI tract and altering substrate availability. Blood is diverted away from the intestines during the stress response, especially in response to strenuous exercise and heat stress, which can initiate a cycle of hypoperfusion, ischemia, and reperfusion that alters the oxygenation of the intestinal mucosa and can create oxidative stress and inflammation. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system by triggering the fight-or-flight mechanism; it increases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. It affects bowel movements, increasing stomach acid, leading to reflux and heartburn, and consequently ulcers.” This causes inflammation in the body, disrupting the microbiome and reducing beneficial bacteria while allowing harmful ones to multiply.

How Does Gut Flora Trigger Stress?

Dr. [Name], a specialist , also noted that gut flora significantly affects stress levels . Önlen concluded her remarks as follows: “When the healthy gut microbiome decreases, the brain becomes more sensitive to stressful situations. In particular, a decrease in bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium can contribute to increased stress. Toxins produced by an increase in harmful bacteria can amplify stress responses in the brain, leading to more frequent emotional states such as anxiety, anger, panic attacks, and depression. Studies show that the gut microbiota's response to stress, both in the short and long term, can be health-promoting (through cold exposure), health-damaging (through psychological stress, circadian disruption, and high altitude), or both (through physical activity and diet). This means that the gut microbiota can be a contributing factor to negative stress-related health outcomes, but it can also provide a tool for positively regulating the host stress response. We can protect our gut health through methods such as consuming probiotic and prebiotic foods, avoiding antibiotics unless necessary, engaging in activities that promote stress regulation, and practicing proper breathing.”

Source: HORECA TREND and Science and Health News Agency