Gut - our second brain

 

We often talk about butterflies in our stomach, when nervous, or of gut-instinct, when we suddenly feel strongly towards certain situation or a person. But is it simple a metaphorical connection? Or is there more to it?

Have you ever wondered why is the gut called the second brain in our body?

To answer that, gut is just as powerful as your brain – the headquarters or the primary receptor of all functions.

 

Gut and brain are like twins. Much like the Siamese twins, they are interconnected. When one is upset the other automatically picks up the signal and reflects the same mood.

 

Ever wondered why?

 

Well online diet consultant says that according to research, scientist have referred the gut as the little brain and given it the name Enteric Nervous System or ENS. But it’s not so little after all. This ENS is two thin layers of 100 million nerve cells lining in your GI tract from oesophagus to the rectum. 

 

A therapeutic nutritionist in Kolkata, has stated that unlike our big brain, thesecond brain is not proficient with logical reasoning & problem-solving. Its main role is to control the digestion process - from swallowing of food, to the controllingthe blood flow for nutrient absorption and finally waste elimination.

 

The ENS may trigger big emotional shifts experienced by people. For decades doctors & researchers thought that anxiety & depression contributed to the problems of IBS, constipation, bloating & pain in the stomach, but recent studies show, it may be the other way round. A therapeutic nutritionist in Kolkata states that researchers have found evidence, that irritation in the GI system may send signals to CNS(central nervous system), which triggers the mood change.

 

Our two brains talk to each other, and Ananya’s Nourish Me provides therapies that will soothe both brain and gut.

 

Ways to improve gut-brain health

 

1. Breathe out stress, by practising deep breathing daily. This will help you cut-offstress & inflammation

2. Opt for steamed veggies in every meal – they are richin fibres that helps in digestion

3. Season with garlic.Two cloves of garlic a day, deliver pre-biotics that heals the gut.

4. Fermented foods like kimichi, saurekraut& yogurt, replenishes the good bacteria in gut.

5. Intermittent fasting - 1 day each week - to re-boot energy. So, if your last meal for the day is at 7 pm, your next meal should be post 9 am the next day.