Our second brain, our gut, affects our primary brain more than most realize.
WhoDeeWhoDee / Pixabay – Our second brain, our gut, affects our primary brain more than most realize.

There is a strong connection between your gut (intestinal tract) and your brain. Recent studies support the brain-gut relationship. What you feed your gut feeds your brain (and the rest of your body). Food delivers key nutrients to every part of your body. It is processed in your intestinal tract and delivered by your bloodstream. There are many articles referring to your gut as your second brain. In 1990, the field of neurogastroenterology was created.

Your primary brain has:

● 85 billion neurons
● 100 neurotransmitters
● Produces 50 percent of all dopamine
● Produces 5 percent of all serotonin
● Has a blood brain barrier

Your second brain (your gut) has:

● 500 million neurons
● 40 neurotransmitters
● Produces 50 percent of all dopamine
● Produces 95 percent of all serotonin
● Has a gut-brain barrier

Your enteric nervous system (ENS) is embedded inside the wall of your intestinal tract. It works to control your digestive processes. Everything we eat and drink goes through our digestive system. There are hidden invaders in the foods we eat, such as:

● Pesticides
● Animal hormones
● Carcinogenic food colors
● Antibiotics
● Preservatives
● Artificial flavors
● And many more

Your blood brain barrier prevents most unwanted intruders from getting inside your brain. Your ENS has the same job – protecting your body from unwanted intruders.

The ENS secretes protective chemicals to counter foreign particles trying to pass through the intestinal wall. Your ENS will trigger diarrhea and/or communicate with your brain to initiate nausea, sometimes both, to stop the wrong particles from getting inside your body.

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