Education

At Cincinnati Health Institute we believe that overall health and wellness cannot be achieved without addressing the health issues that arise in an inferior digestive system. The gut plays a far more vital role in overall health than previously believed and some of the symptoms of an unhealthy gut will be surprising. Unless you address the health of your digestive system you will not reach optimal health and wellness.

The Amazing Gut

The liver is the powerhouse of metabolic activity and detoxification in the body. However, the metabolic activity of the gut is about equal to the liver. Many important metabolic reactions originate in the gut and with over 400 species of microbes present at any given time, there MUST be a balance of good vs. bad bacteria.

An imbalance in the gut microbiome causes health issues and is referred to as dysbiosis.

The digestive system is much more than a food processor. The small intestine alone has over 100 million nerve cells roughly EQUAL to the spinal cord! This Enteric Nervous System (ENS) is a mesh-like system of neurons that govern the function of the GI tract. Amazingly, every class of neurotransmitter present in the brain is also present in the ENS.

The digestive system is the only organ system in the body that has its own independently operating nervous system. Much of the serotonin present in the body is found in the gut, which has coined the term the “second brain” by those forward thinkers that recognize its importance.

Digestion Begins in the Mouth

Digestion starts in the mouth. It is imperative to have good dental and gum health to be able to break down foods and allow nitric oxide to reach the bloodstream in the mouth. The digestive system is one of the major sources of nitric oxide. It is produced in the gastrointestinal tract either by enzymatic, non-enzymatic, or bacterial production mechanisms. When we do things, like rinse with antibacterial mouthwash, it hurts our digestive health. Nitric oxide production becomes hindered by the lack of bacterial production mechanisms.

Nitric oxide plays a critical role in many of the physiologic processes of the gastrointestinal tract like motility, secretion, digestion, absorption, and elimination. In addition, nitric oxide takes part in the control of pancreatic secretion and liver functions. Without a healthy oral microbiome, you will not produce enough nitric oxide to help with insulin signaling, enhancement of gut motility, decreasing inflammation, cardiovascular health (such as blood pressure), and the promotion of sexual function.

What is a Leaky Gut?

PICTURE?

Leaky gut results when the lining of the digestive tract becomes damaged. The digestive lining becomes degraded by medications, alcohol, refined or processed foods, toxins, lack of fiber, etc… Not having the proper balance of bacteria (also caused by toxins, medications, processed foods, etc...) can lead to an overgrowth of bad bacteria, again degrading the lining of the digestive system.

The lining of the gut should have healthy micro-villi and nice, tight gap junctions between cells that selectively allow the nutrients to be absorbed and cross into the blood and lymphatic system.

Over time, the normal, tight junctions of the intestinal mucosal cells deteriorate. When the lining of the gut is damaged it can allow larger substances like toxic molecules, undigested food particles, undigested proteins, toxins, and other unwanted foreign bodies to cross into the blood and lymphatic system. Your body reacts to these foreign bodies as intruders and releases antibodies to fight them, i.e. inflammation!

Eventually, these unwanted intruders set up space in the various tissues of your body and present as inflammation and chronic disease. Your system becomes bombarded with toxins and proteins that can and do overtax the liver. This is Leaky Gut Syndrome. Many chronic diseases have been linked to the degradation of the lining of the gut.

Due to the overuse of antibiotics and hand sanitizers, eating the standard American diet, and not “playing in the dirt” our microbiomes have changed. This includes an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria and yeast, a less diverse gut flora, tight junctions to become “leaky” and good bacteria to infiltrate the wrong areas. These problems are called Leaky Gut, SIBO, Candida, irritable bowel, Dysbiosis, Gluten sensitivity, and more.

It is important to help feed the gut with good bacteria, called probiotics. Probiotics help to prevent the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria by lowering the intestinal pH and releasing bacteriocins, which are our natural antibacterial workers. Probiotics also help with gene expression and prevent certain disease-inducing bacteria from wreaking havoc on your system.

• Add gut-restoring bone broth to your diet to help heal and repair the tight junctions of the digestive tract.
• Add 1-2 tablespoons of Full Fat Greek Yogurt to your diet or use Probiotic XYZ

Prebiotics help feed the probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract. Prebiotics are found in many types of vegetation for example inulin, which is a plant-based fiber. Foods that are good prebiotics are garlic, onion, dark leafy green vegetables, almonds, and more.