The role of our digestive system and it’s effect on cognition is greatly under emphasized. Not just what we eat, but how that food is processed greatly impacts every aspect of our health, both physically and mentally.
The term SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) has really gained traction among physicians and the informed public. This condition was rarely discussed just twenty years ago, but those of us who deal intensively with digestion and elimination have seen much of this.
The over-use of antibiotics upsets the critical balance of pH and bacteria in the gut. Those who aggressively include fermented foods in their diet are far less likely to suffer from the challenges of SIBO.
Fermented foods provide lactic acid, which helps maintain a healthy crop of bacteria necessary for the health of the intestinal tissues and processesing of the foods consumed. This is one of the reasons apple cider vinegar has been a mainstay for many people in protecting and nourishing their digestive systems.
When the intestinal pH goes alkaline, the acid loving bacteria can’t survive, and pathogenic bacteria and yeasts get the opportunity to thrive. Since the small intestine is greatly responsible for the production of the feel good neurotransmitter serotonin, the alteration of the environment here can dramatically affect moods. Unfortunately when this happens people will often reach for comfort foods which further feed the overgrowth.
There are various kinds of yeast, and the one which often creates problems, known as candida is one which thrives in these environments. The baker uses yeast which causes bread to rise, and this is due to the yeast converting carbohydrates to carbon dioxide gas. The process of brewing involves the use of a yeast that converts the carbohydrates to alcohol. For this reason, many deal with alcohol brain from eating carbohydrates and could even fail a sobriety test after eating starches.
There is a mycelium type of yeast which actually aids in converting the starches into lactic acid in the gut. This is capable of starving out the pathogenic yeasts while restoring the environment responsible for assisting in proper digestion as well as production of vital neurotransmitters.
Besides starving out the pathogenic yeasts, the lactic acid yeast establishes the environment which prohibits the continued growth of pathogenic bacteria. With this, it becomes much easier to replant the healthy acid loving bacteria.
When the environment of the intestines becomes toxic there can be multiple problems which are systemic. One of the most obvious would be challenges in bowel function. Either constipation or diarrhea. This can also be seen in irritable bowel issues.
Restoring the intestinal environment is often ignored while many symptomatic treatments are employed which never really correct the issues.
In cases of dementia, it’s critical to evaluate digestive challenges. All too often these digestive challenges are never revealed. When the patient believes that constipation is normal for them, they often fail to reveal it to the doctor. I’ve had many patients who only moved their bowels once a week or longer and thought that was normal. In these cases, it’s usually the underlying condition which generated the symptoms they came in to have corrected.
Besides antibiotics setting the stage for this, stress, causing a shut down of digestive fluids can allow food to go undigested, initiating a change of the intestinal pH. Sympathetic nervous system overload shuts down the production of hydrochloric acid, resulting in reduced bile and pancreatic enzyme release. The end result of proteins which aren’t properly digested are toxic byproducts which then injure the intestinal lining and then are absorbed into the circulation leading to the liver.
The liver is then responsible for the further processing of properly digested food. When that which is directed into the liver is toxic due to putrefaction, the liver’s response now is that of trying to neutralize the toxic compounds.
Since part of the role of the liver is to create bile and digest fats, when this is hindered, the ability to maintain brain health and it’s fat content becomes altered. Our brain is 50% fat. When our ability to digest and break down fat is impaired, cognition becomes challenged.
When working with mental and emotional issues, it’s critical to take into account the digestive system. Ignoring constipation or diarrhea, could eventually lead to more intense issues. Stopping digestion with acid blockers or over use of antibiotics must be corrected to keep your health.
The term SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) has really gained traction among physicians and the informed public. This condition was rarely discussed just twenty years ago, but those of us who deal intensively with digestion and elimination have seen much of this.
The over-use of antibiotics upsets the critical balance of pH and bacteria in the gut. Those who aggressively include fermented foods in their diet are far less likely to suffer from the challenges of SIBO.
Fermented foods provide lactic acid, which helps maintain a healthy crop of bacteria necessary for the health of the intestinal tissues and processesing of the foods consumed. This is one of the reasons apple cider vinegar has been a mainstay for many people in protecting and nourishing their digestive systems.
When the intestinal pH goes alkaline, the acid loving bacteria can’t survive, and pathogenic bacteria and yeasts get the opportunity to thrive. Since the small intestine is greatly responsible for the production of the feel good neurotransmitter serotonin, the alteration of the environment here can dramatically affect moods. Unfortunately when this happens people will often reach for comfort foods which further feed the overgrowth.
There are various kinds of yeast, and the one which often creates problems, known as candida is one which thrives in these environments. The baker uses yeast which causes bread to rise, and this is due to the yeast converting carbohydrates to carbon dioxide gas. The process of brewing involves the use of a yeast that converts the carbohydrates to alcohol. For this reason, many deal with alcohol brain from eating carbohydrates and could even fail a sobriety test after eating starches.
There is a mycelium type of yeast which actually aids in converting the starches into lactic acid in the gut. This is capable of starving out the pathogenic yeasts while restoring the environment responsible for assisting in proper digestion as well as production of vital neurotransmitters.
Besides starving out the pathogenic yeasts, the lactic acid yeast establishes the environment which prohibits the continued growth of pathogenic bacteria. With this, it becomes much easier to replant the healthy acid loving bacteria.
When the environment of the intestines becomes toxic there can be multiple problems which are systemic. One of the most obvious would be challenges in bowel function. Either constipation or diarrhea. This can also be seen in irritable bowel issues.
Restoring the intestinal environment is often ignored while many symptomatic treatments are employed which never really correct the issues.
In cases of dementia, it’s critical to evaluate digestive challenges. All too often these digestive challenges are never revealed. When the patient believes that constipation is normal for them, they often fail to reveal it to the doctor. I’ve had many patients who only moved their bowels once a week or longer and thought that was normal. In these cases, it’s usually the underlying condition which generated the symptoms they came in to have corrected.
Besides antibiotics setting the stage for this, stress, causing a shut down of digestive fluids can allow food to go undigested, initiating a change of the intestinal pH. Sympathetic nervous system overload shuts down the production of hydrochloric acid, resulting in reduced bile and pancreatic enzyme release. The end result of proteins which aren’t properly digested are toxic byproducts which then injure the intestinal lining and then are absorbed into the circulation leading to the liver.
The liver is then responsible for the further processing of properly digested food. When that which is directed into the liver is toxic due to putrefaction, the liver’s response now is that of trying to neutralize the toxic compounds.
Since part of the role of the liver is to create bile and digest fats, when this is hindered, the ability to maintain brain health and it’s fat content becomes altered. Our brain is 50% fat. When our ability to digest and break down fat is impaired, cognition becomes challenged.
When working with mental and emotional issues, it’s critical to take into account the digestive system. Ignoring constipation or diarrhea, could eventually lead to more intense issues. Stopping digestion with acid blockers or over use of antibiotics must be corrected to keep your health.
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