Human gut microbiology, comprised of several trillion bacteria living in the digestive tract, is gaining recognition as a contributing factor to not only  Digestive Illness and dysfunction, but  also cardiovascular, immune, and neurological.  Now,  Leo Galland, MD from the Foundation for Integrated Medicine (New York, USA), reports  the  relationship between the proteins produced by intestinal bacteria and the human central nervous system.  Dr. Galland author of this paper as well as the 4 Pillars of Healing submits there are various mechanisms through which the microbiome can influence the brain: by stimulating and over-stimulating the immune system, producing neurotoxic agents, releasing hormones or neurotransmitters identical to those made by the human body, or through direct neuronal stimulation that sends signals to the brain.

Dr. Galland concludes that “Through these varied mechanisms, gut microbes shape the architecture of sleep and stress reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. They influence memory, mood, and cognition and are clinically and therapeutically relevant to a range of disorders, including alcoholism, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and restless legs syndrome. Their role in multiple sclerosis and the neurologic manifestations of celiac disease is being studied,” the author posits that: “Nutritional tools for altering the gut microbiome therapeutically include changes in diet, probiotics, ad prebiotics.”

I have personally observed all the above connections for several years in my clinical practice.  Brain "fog", fuzzy thinking, poor sleep and many other like symptoms mysteriously clear up when gut bacteriology is addressed and treated.  Surely, most people will benefit hugely from this medical intervention.  For more information, visit our testing aisle  of my Natural Pharmacy, or by all means contact us to set up a free consultation pertaining to my specialty.