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Gut microbes could drive brain disorders

nature.com

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Re: Gut microbes could drive brain disorders

#11

Post by PragmaticPulp »

shagie wrote: post #4

Serotonergic Mechanisms Regulating the GI Tract: Experimental Evidence and Therapeutic Relevance (2017) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5526216/ > Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is best known as a neurotransmitter critical for central nervous system (CNS) development and function. 95% of the body’s serotonin, however, is produced in the intestine where it has been increasingly recognized for its…

> Here's this chemical that we use to run our brain... where is it produced? Not in the brain, but rather in the gut.

No, it’s produced in the brain, too.

Serotonin plays multiple functions in the body. It is also produced locally in the brain. It plays a significant role in the circulatory system as well.

Serotonin in your stomach does not migrate to the brain. You cannot eat serotonin and have it end up in your brain. You can consume serotonin precursors, which are transported to the brain and used to produce serotonin locally.

The body is very segmented, especially the central nervous system. The body can’t be interpreted as a chemical soup where all the chemicals are mingling with all the organs at the same levels.

Re: Gut microbes could drive brain disorders

#12

Post by kanyethegreat »

superpope99 wrote: post #10
rajup wrote: post #6

How does one know one has a healthy gut? Is it possible to have the wrong gut micro biome but not have any gastrointestinal symptoms?

There are companies who will sequence your gut microbiome and give you actionable insights - full disclosure I work for one https://joinzoe.com/

How valid are the actionable insights? Is there one set ideal each person should match, or is it individualistic?

Re: Gut microbes could drive brain disorders

#13

Post by hanniabu »

shagie wrote: post #4

Serotonergic Mechanisms Regulating the GI Tract: Experimental Evidence and Therapeutic Relevance (2017) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5526216/ > Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is best known as a neurotransmitter critical for central nervous system (CNS) development and function. 95% of the body’s serotonin, however, is produced in the intestine where it has been increasingly recognized for its…

From what I read, the reasons why it's beneficial is that it improved gut motility and the intestinal mucosal lining, which subsequently improves hormonal, autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine actions.

Re: Gut microbes could drive brain disorders

#14

Post by PragmaticPulp »

hanniabu wrote: post #9
shagie wrote: post #4

Serotonergic Mechanisms Regulating the GI Tract: Experimental Evidence and Therapeutic Relevance (2017) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5526216/ > Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is best known as a neurotransmitter critical for central nervous system (CNS) development and function. 95% of the body’s serotonin, however, is produced in the intestine where it has been increasingly recognized for its…

> 5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT 5-HTP*

5-HT is 5-hydroxytryptamine aka serotonin.

5-HTP is 5-Hydroxytryptophan, a precursor to 5-HT.

Re: Gut microbes could drive brain disorders

#15

Post by hanniabu »

PragmaticPulp wrote: post #14
hanniabu wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT 5-HTP*

5-HT is 5-hydroxytryptamine aka serotonin. 5-HTP is 5-Hydroxytryptophan, a precursor to 5-HT.

You're right, tried to delete after I realized I misread but HN wouldn't let me

Re: Gut microbes could drive brain disorders

#16

Post by hanniabu »

PragmaticPulp wrote: post #11
shagie wrote: post #4

Serotonergic Mechanisms Regulating the GI Tract: Experimental Evidence and Therapeutic Relevance (2017) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5526216/ > Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is best known as a neurotransmitter critical for central nervous system (CNS) development and function. 95% of the body’s serotonin, however, is produced in the intestine where it has been increasingly recognized for its…

> Here's this chemical that we use to run our brain... where is it produced? Not in the brain, but rather in the gut. No, it’s produced in the brain, too. Serotonin plays multiple functions in the body. It is also produced locally in the brain. It plays a significant role in the circulatory system as well. Serotonin in your stomach does not migrate to the brain. You cannot eat serotonin and have it end up in your bra…

That said, lack of serotonin in the gut also created thiamine deficiencies which leads to decreased serotonin uptake.

Re: Gut microbes could drive brain disorders

#18

Post by happylion0801 »

throwaway482940 wrote: post #3

About five years ago, after experimenting with some diet changes, I started having some pretty terrible digestive issues, like extremely bloating and indigestion. The issues would fluctuate, sometimes being much worse than others. Along with it came personality changes, like apathy, and they would also fluctuate along with the digestive issues. It's actually pretty scary how much it affected my brain. There are times…

Exactly have the same experience as you. After I got diagnosed with IBS, I started having pretty huge personality changes lasting to this day.

No idea the path to recovery is

Re: Gut microbes could drive brain disorders

#19

Post by sosilkj »

Wonnk13 wrote: post #2

I've dealt with colon cancer in 2016 and again now in the present. I don't what the hell is driving it, but the gut biome is fascinating. It's definitely made me look at my diet and food variety much more seriously. I've started taking probiotics, drinking kombucha from time to time and adopting a more whole food / plant based diet. Does it have an affect? who the heck knows.

(Disclaimer upfront: I am not a doctor or medical professional.)

Kombucha often contains some alcohol. I'd suggest being cautious about alcohol consumption - frankly, eliminating it altogether from your diet would be my personal suggestion; there is evidence of increased risk of colon cancer from alcohol.

Just grabbing the first thing I found: "Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption is associated with 1.2- to 1.5-fold increased risks of cancers of the colon and rectum compared with no alcohol consumption". From here: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/a...

They give several references there to back up that statement, those could be worth reading.

Best wishes for your recovery and health and longterm success.

Edit: wow, i'm getting downvoted? if i'm saying something inaccurate or inappropriate here, i'd be grateful for some specific feedback. thanks.

Re: Gut microbes could drive brain disorders

#20

Post by felixbraun »

Wonnk13 wrote: post #2

I've dealt with colon cancer in 2016 and again now in the present. I don't what the hell is driving it, but the gut biome is fascinating. It's definitely made me look at my diet and food variety much more seriously. I've started taking probiotics, drinking kombucha from time to time and adopting a more whole food / plant based diet. Does it have an affect? who the heck knows.

Doing the exact opposite might help — probiotics feed harmful bacteria as well and a different strategy would be to simply try to keep your microbiome as basic and unintrusive as possible, allowing the gut to calm and heal.

It’s easier said than done; recommend looking into natural antibiotics (eg cooked white button mushrooms), indigestible fibre to ensure regular movements, which more than anything lowers endotoxin load (raw carrot salad), carbs from sugars instead of starch, which get absorbed more quickly and won’t be very “prebiotic” (eg ripe oranges, honey) and nutrient dense foods to meet metrics (organ meats and cheeses).

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