MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023 - MY SECOND BRAIN

 MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2023 - My “second brain”!!!

My porch garden - Swiss Chard, Kale, and Spinach

Yup - some scientists suggest we have a second brain.  

(from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection)

According to his article (and, I tend to think that John Hopkins should be a good and acceptable resource!!):

“If you’ve ever “gone with your gut” to make a decision or felt “butterflies in your stomach” when nervous, you’re likely getting signals from an unexpected source: your second brain. Hidden in the walls of the digestive system, this “brain in your gut” is revolutionizing medicine’s understanding of the links between digestion, mood, health and even the way you think.”

“Scientists call this little brain the enteric nervous system (ENS). And it’s not so little. The ENS is two thin layers of more than 100 million nerve cells lining your gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum.”  

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Hold it - time out!!  In my “gut,” there are over 100 million nerve cells?  And these tiny nerve cells can affect how we think and feel??  

Well - kind of!!!  

This enteric nervous system is (at least partially) the issue with irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and even an upset stomach!!!  Seeming if you are having trouble with any of these issues, the ENS sends a message to the “real” brain that your gut isn’t feeling good!!!

The article suggests ““These new findings may explain why a higher-than-normal percentage of people with IBS and functional bowel problems develop depression and anxiety,” Pasricha says. “That’s important because up to 30 to 40 percent of the population has functional bowel problems at some point.”

WHOA - 30 to 40 of the population has some bowel problems.  (So, if somebody is crabby, it might be that they are having “gut” issues?)

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Okay - I can understand the concept - so how do we keep our gut (intestines) “happy”? (Is “happy” a reasonable term here?)

Another resource is:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-foods-to-improve-your-digestion/

And, you can already imagine what that article suggests:

Whole Grains (Oats, brown rice)

Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard)

Lean Protein (High-fat foods can trigger contractions of the colon)

Low Fructose Fruits (berries, oranges)

Avocado (Avocado is a superfood packed with fiber )

(And, I learned something - the low fructose fruits are NOT apples and pears but “On the other hand, berries and citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, contain less fructose, making them easier to tolerate and less likely to cause gas. Bananas are another low-fructose fruit that are fiber-rich and contain inulin, a substance that stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the gut.)

So, (darn). I need to work more on my eating to control my mood!!!  

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I’ve been trying to eat more fiber - with a bowl of oatmeal in the morning.  I made a pot of black beans and ham.  (But, I do eat some not-so-nutritious stuff!!!)

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Now, let’s tie that into Love Wins.  If my “gut” is more balanced, I can love other people more!!! If I have irritable bowel syndrome, my gut is off-kilter and I might not be quite as loving!!!  

Ahh yes - cut back on the white bread, the white sugar, the chocolate, and the fatty foods!!

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So:

LOVE WINS

(And, I can help Love to Win with good eating)

LOVE TRANSFORMS

(It might be transforming my gut!!!)

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, JANUARY 23, 2023