ADVERTISING: Advertorial — If your gut is unhealthy, your brain may be also
Dr. Wayne M. Fichter Jr.
The brain is the most nutrient-dependent, energy-dependent organ in the body, but it also the most vulnerable organ to toxins and stress. The gut and the brain are very tightly connected. The connection is so important between the brain and gut, if you damage one, there’s a good chance you damage the other.
A great example is when you receive a concussion. As we know, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. The damage to the brain also causes a residual effect on the nervous system, which in return has a negative effect on the digestive tract. Our digestive tract is lined with tight junctions. Their job is to prevent food particles and toxins from leaking into our bloodstream. But almost immediately after the injury, these junctions become more permeable, which allows larger particles to pass through that normally wouldn’t or more importantly, shouldn’t. When these particles pass through, this causes an inflammatory response that can actually penetrate the blood-brain barrier, leading to additional inflammation of the brain. This cycle keeps the blood-brain barrier open and fuels the inflammatory process, thus taking longer to heal, if at all.
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