Is my brain causing my gut issues?

Your gut function is completely dependent on the health of your brain. Different areas of your brain are responsible for inputting information via the brain stem and Vagus Nerve to your gastrointestinal tract.

For example, the Motor Strip area of the brain is responsible for the smooth muscle contraction which is needed for mixing and moving our food through our digestive system. If there is an injury or degeneration of the motor strip this could potentially result in
small intestine bacterial over growth as the valves in the small intestine many not be contracting and relaxing as they should and food is staying in the small intestine longer than it should.

The hypothalamus part of the brain is responsible for signalling the gut to release our digestive enzymes, if there is dysfunction in this part of the brain it could result in not being able to breakdown food properly, that will result in feelings of bloating, bleaching or gas etc. So if you have GI issues that you cannot seem to solve by eating correctly, taking supplements, try thinking if your brain is trying to tell you something!
Deirdre xx