Going Deeper to Your Gut: A Holistic Approach to Gut Health
Published: 1 Mar 2024
Our digestive system goes beyond our stomachs. When we want to optimise our gut health, it’s worth taking a look at not just the gut, but to take a wider, more holistic view.
Did you know that the brain and the gut are very closely linked? The vagus nerve runs from the brain to the large intestine, connecting the abdomen and the digestive tract to the brain. The gut is even known as our “second brain”. Scientists have begun to explore the link between digestion, mood, health and even the way we think.
When it comes to gut health, we often get caught up with what we put into the gut but very often we don’t stop to look at the bigger picture. We have mirrors and are able to see our faces and our bodies BUT we don’t walk around with a microscope to be able to take a closer look at our gut, and all the systems that are connected to it.
Have a think about the size of the digestive system. It is massive! It’s not only the stomach but also the mouth, the oesophagus, small and large intestines as well as the excretory systems. If we look at the size of the digestive system, and the space that it takes up in the trunk - it is no wonder that it plays such an important role in our lives.
When we are working with the digestive system and our gut health - there’s a need to zoom beyond just what we are eating to look at bigger and more holistic picture:
Declining nutrient density
One unavoidable feature of modern life is how it has become harder and harder for us to get the essential nutrients that we need to keep our gut microbiome healthy. Dr Megan Rossi, a dietitian and nutritionist, recommends eating as many as 30 different plants a week (this includes herbs, spices, grains and legumes).
However, modern agricultural processes have degraded the quality of soil such that fruits and vegetables no longer contain the same levels of vitamins and minerals they may have contained years ago. One study from the University of Texas at Austin found that as many as 43 different garden crops (like strawberries, and asparagus) have declining levels of protein, calcium and phosphorus.
So even if we are buying organic produce, our food no longer has the same nutrient density. This leads to why good quality supplements may need to be incorporated in the modern diet.
Picky Eating & Malabsorption
Children with sensory disorders or poor regulation are often picky eaters. Their rigid preferences limit that they only eat certain items such as “white (processed starchy) foods” for example. This might compound existing nutrient deficiencies (such as Zinc, Magnesium or Vitamin D), making it even more difficult to correct nutrient deficiencies. Lack of these nutrients can also cause malabsorption, leading to the body not being able to get the nutrients it needs in the first place even if they are provided “healthy” food. Malabsorption can look like weight loss, chronic diarrhoea and excessive gas.
Digestion begins in the mouth
The body’s digestion process really begins in the mouth with the ability to chew properly. Chewing is the first step in the digestive process:
it breaks down food into smaller pieces to be able to pass through the oesophagus more smoothly
our saliva glands get activated, and the enzymes in our saliva help break down the food
Chewing sends a signal to the body to activate the digestive juices in the stomach. Children who have reduced oral motor skills or poor control over their oral motor functions may not chew their food properly or they might be food pocketing (storing food in the cheeks). This might lead to bloating or constipation or other gut issues because the food is not digested properly.
Our gut works much like a car engine - there are many moving parts to it from the mouth to the bowels. If one of these parts is affected - it could lead to the engine, or the entire digestive system stalling - leading to constipation or even behavioural and emotional dysregulation. Even if it’s working properly - a tune-up (by considering what we’ve listed above) can get it to a much more optimal condition.
At Neural Connections, we focus on offering treatment and protocols to help children regulate their emotions and behaviour better. Schedule a Discovery Call with us today to see if we can help.
References
Gershon, Michael, The Second Brain
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection
https://fortune.com/well/2023/03/20/improve-gut-health-diversity-diet-eat-30-plants-a-week/
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment-and-conservation/2022/05/fruits-and-vegetables-are-less-nutritious-than-they-used-to-be
