Recent groundbreaking research has demonstrated that your gut comprises over 2/3rds of your immune system.  Furthermore, the gut microbiology is so complex and regulates so much of your bodily functioning it is referred to as the "second brain". Believe it or not over 80% of our serotonin is produced in the GUT!!  You can then consider the gut largely responsible for both your physical and mental health.

Here are some other interesting facts:
• We have 10 times more bacteria in our digestive system than cells in our body.
• 99 percent of the DNA our bodies is made of bacterial DNA.
• As a result of the Human Genome Project, scientists discovered we have fewer genes than a fruit fly, carrot, or pineapple! Instead, the genes we have are always talking to the microbes in our gut.
• Your gut lining is only one cell thick—much thinner than your eyelid—and replaces itself every few days. 

It's clear a healthy gut is essential to your optimal health and happiness. But  about one-third of people today have some sort of  chronic digestive problem. I see MANY of them in my practice and...

UnNatural Foods:
Foods developed in labs, like denatured, industrialized fats and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), as well as fake sugar replacers are somewhat  a mystery to our bodies. HFCS as one example,  has been shown to require more energy for gut absorption, leading to possible gut leakage and widespread inflammation. Natural oils are important to build the structure of our cells, but denatured, industrial fats stripped of antioxidants and vitamins don't give cells the nutrients they need, they can be and are actually  extremely toxic to cells.  Eat  simply and organically to avoid HFCS and other unnatural ingredients.  ALSO avoid industrial oils by avoiding processed and fast food as much as possible.

AVOID Carrageenan
This food additive seems innocent enough. Derived from seaweed, it's commonly used as a thickening agent in ice cream, yogurt, soymilk, and sour cream—even organic versions. It's completely unnecessary for use in food and dietary doses have reliably caused inflammation in the GI tract, triggering an immune response similar to that your body has when invaded by pathogens like Salmonella. In fact, it is used in animal studies to induce inflammatory bowel disease for experimental purposes.  Carrageenan must, by law, appear on the ingredients list. Avoid it in both organic and non organic foods. 

Wheat
There's emerging research suggesting that wheat is inflammatory,  especially for susceptible people. But even if you don't suffer from celiac disease, wheat could be triggering acid reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, and other ailments. Why? We're not eating the same grain our grandmothers did. Wheat has been so intensely and unnaturally crossbred in the last 40 years that significant changes in amino acids and gliadin protein, which could be making you contantly hungry and damaging your gut health.  Let us also not ignore the mold contamination in this and many other grains due to storage conditions.  It is important to try to eliminate foods to see which ones provoke symptoms.  Wheat is common but so is corn etc....

GMOs A 2013 study published in Journal of Organic Systems found pigs fed genetically engineered food were much more likely to suffer from severely inflamed stomachs. So is that happening to people, too?  Pigs are very genetically similar to humans...hmmmmm.

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is the go-to chemical non organic farmers spray on GMO crops. So much is applied and taken up inside of the plant that the U.S. government keeps increasing the limits allowed in our food. That's bad news for your gut because glyphosate also acts like an antimicrobial DRUG in the gut, wiping out delicate beneficial microflora that protects us from disease.  The number one way to avoid GMOs is to eat organic foods. If that's not possible, avoid non organic processed foods—most contain at least one of the most common GMO ingredients made from corn, soy, cotton oil, or canola

MANY  Meds and Over the Counter Meds besides just Antibiotics:

NSAIDs block pain by blocking eicosanoids and cytokines that promote inflammation but by blocking this you cause the natural gut turnover to suffer causing major problems like leaky gut and bacterial imbalances and infection.  SSRI's and sleep medications divert serotonin from the intestinal tract causing major imbalances.  Over the counter  and prescription heartburn medications change the gut environment making it much less hospitable to good bacteria and more friendly to bad.  Ditto: hormones and birth control bills as well as steroids.

Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks contain few nutrients but take many nutrients to metabolize. The most noteworthy of these are the B-complex vitamins. In fact, alcoholic beverages contain substances that are toxic to our cells. When alcohol is metabolized in the liver, the toxins are either broken down or stored by the body, according to Digestion Connection. Alcohol abuse puts a strain on the liver, which affects digestive competency, and also damages the intestinal tract.  

Chronic sleep deprivation: Even One hour of shorted sleep will deprive the gut of its needed repair and cause problems both with the lining and the bacteriology.

Ditto: Chronic Stress constant long term stress will cause the gut bacteria to deteriorate much as steroidal use would.

It is difficult but most important to be conscious of our bodies and all the factors that affect our gut health.  Consider it an investment in your long term health and happiness.

NEXT week we will discuss how Multiple Sclerosis can be REVERSED. Don't miss it....SIGNUP!  Also, please visit my store for the VERY best in natural products and supplements.