The Wellness Connection May 2017 in Kingwood TX

Check out this month's newsletter from our Kingwood TX chiropractic office.

The Gut-Brain Connection in Kingwood TX

I want to share some exciting news and research with you concerning the connection between your digestive system and your brain and nervous system! In 2015 a study was done in Italy and was published in the annals of gastroenterology. According to the research discussed in this article, as well as an abundance of clinical research done by myself and other practitioners, there is a tremendous effect between the gut and the brain. These two are connected bi-directionally, and there are many different things affected if one or the other is not functioning optimally. We will discuss this later.

However one other thing I would like to mention is that gut health is always also connected to probiotics or gut microbes. In addition to being involved in affecting our thoughts, moods, immune system, and digestion, these healthy essential bacteria also affect neurotransmitters and pain.

So how are the gut and brain connected? One of the ways is cytokines — chemical messengers that send signals from the gut to the brain or vice versa. For instance, if you have an inflamed digestive tract (which may be caused from an infection, a food sensitivity, chronic drug use, or a poor diet), then the gut will become inflamed; and cytokines will get into the bloodstream and cross the blood brain barrier. In the brain they will then activate immune cells called microglial cells. These will, in turn, cause inflammation in the brain.

So, if your gut is on fire, then your brain is on fire.

Inflammation is always a cause for progression of degeneration. It also slows downs neuron firing, leading to things like depression, anxiety, brain fog, and many other disorders.

So let me conclude this article with some things you can begin to do to reduce the inflammation in your gut and also in your brain.

• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet. You can get a copy of the one we recommend at our office.
• Take essential dietary supplements, including fish oil, probiotics, and vitamin D.
• Give your brain stimulation. This means getting adjusted and moving — walking swimming, stretching, and other exercise

Doing these things will help to ensure longevity of function of brain and gut.

We invite you to call us at (281) 354-8330 to ask for a FREE copy of the DVD “The Gut Brain Connection”, which we produced in our office.

Join us for our Seminar
The Gluten / Leaky Gut — Autoimmunity Connection
Thursday, May 18th @ 6:15 p.m.
Reserve Your Seat Today by emailing support@clarkchiropractic.net or by calling (281) 354-8330

Overcoming IBS and Other Chronic Digestive Conditions
By Dr. Lewis M. Clark DC, CCWP, BCIM, CGP

All chronic illnesses have common threads including blood sugar imbalances, anemia, adrenal dysfunction, thyroid problems, hidden infections, and others. The causes of chronic illnesses can be divided into two categories – metabolic and neurological. The metabolic category is defined as your body’s ability to break down food and produce energy. This category includes all organ function and biochemical processes. The neurological category is defined as your brain and nervous system’s control over every function that occurs in the body.

Top 5 metabolic causes of IBS:

• Gut Infection: One of the most common causes of all chronic digestive conditions. Infections can be caused by several different factors such as bacterial, fungus, yeast, parasite, and viral problems.
• Decreased Gut Flora (Probiotics): If you have attended our health seminars and/or have been reading our newsletters, you know that probiotics is one of the nutritional supplements that I recommend to everyone, everyday, because of the attack on probiotics in our gut and the lack of probiotics in our food supply.
• Food Sensitivities: An increasing problem because of the changes that have been made to our foods. The most common sensitivities are wheat (gluten), dairy, soy, eggs, and corn.
• Auto-Immunity: Most people are unaware that digestive problems are often a result of an auto-immune attack to the gut by the immune system. There can be a number of causes for auto-immunities.
• Leaky Gut Syndrome: Occurs when the lining of the intestines has become damaged due to inflammation, infections, or other conditions, allowing the undigested food inside the digestive tract to pass into the blood stream and causing an immune reaction or systemic/full body problem.

Neurological causes of IBS:

• Over-firing Sympathetic Nervous System: The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) consists of two parts – sympathetic and parasympathetic. The sympathetic system is for emergencies and is commonly known as the “fight or flight” response. The parasympathetic system is for resting and often called the “rest and digest” phase. In order to have proper digestion, the parasympathetic system must be dominant. Both systems cannot be dominant simultaneously.
• Peripheral Neuropathy of the Enteric Nervous System: This is the beginning of nerve function loss to the gut itself. You may have heard of peripheral neuropathy in the hands and feet, but neuropathy can also happen to nerves controlling gut function. This can be affected or caused by blood sugar problems, auto-immunities, anemia, inflammation, and more.

The most common treatment for digestive conditions is medication. Medications merely cover the symptoms and do nothing for the underlying cause. Because the symptoms of IBS vary, you may end up on multiple medications for one or more of the following symptoms/reasons:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• slowing down of the sympathetic nervous system
• pain
• depression – if doctors do not know the reason for the condition, they may assume that the problem is in your mind and that you are just depressed.

There is a connection between the gut and the brain called the gut/brain axis. 60% of those suffering with IBS will have a psychosocial disorder such as depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, chronic headaches, and chronic fatigue. The cause for this is chronic inflammation – as I have often said, “If your gut is on fire, your brain is on fire.” Inflammation always leads to degeneration, and a chronic gut problem will eventually lead to a degenerative brain condition. Another reason is the immune battle going on in the gut. Immune cells called cytokines, which act as messengers, also talk to the immune cells in the brain. This will set off an immune battle resulting in inflammation in the brain. It is worth noting that 70% of your immune system is in the gut.

If you are wondering if you are suffering from IBS, ask yourself if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal Pain
• Fullness
• Bloating
• Gas
• Acid Reflux

These symptoms will vary and may even decrease after bowel movements. However, if you have any consistent digestive problems, you should be evaluated thoroughly. Your body is not only possibly digesting poorly (you are not what you eat but what you absorb from what you eat), but your brain and the rest of your body are also being damaged.

If we can help you with any of these symptoms or any other chronic illnesses, please contact our office. For further information, view our videos at www.youtube.com/drlewismclark/videos/