The gut as the second brain

It is no wonder that studies show higher rates of mental health complaints such as depression or anxiety during times of active relapse in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. 

The gut and the brain are connected in many ways, such as via the vagus nerve and connections via the immune system and other chemical signalling. 

On a basic level, having inflammation in the gut can lead to inflammation in the brain. 

There is cross-talk between the immune system in the gut (GALT) and the immune cells in the brain (microglia), as well as the gut microbiome manufacturing the vast majority of neurotransmitters. 

Dr Rachel has found in her practice that many mental health complaints coincide with flares of IBD or for others it can be significant gut inflammation not amounting to a diagnosis of IBD, accompanied by dysbiosis. 

Dr Rachel has found that fixing the gut inflammation leads to other problems resolving too. 

Autoimmune problems often start in the gut due to 70% of the immune system residing in the gut (GALT) & intestinal permeability leads to bacterial components, food antigens and LPS leaking over into the bloodstream to be picked up by the immune system - cue activation of an immune response in the body (which can include an immune response in the brain). 

Mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic dysfunction & environmental toxins can all influence the microbiome to raise the risk of dysbiosis and 'leaky gut.'

Therefore taking a root-cause approach to address these issues can overcome even persistent gut inflammation and longstanding dysfunction.