Healthy bowel influences mood and improves stress – 03/03/2023 – Equilíbrio

Thinking about the intestine is also remembering embarrassing noises or unpleasant smells, consequences that can be caused by what we eat. However, its role goes beyond food. The organ is able to influence mood, stress, psychological disorders and cognitive declines. The subject is addressed in the book “The discreet charm of the intestine”, a work written by the German gastroenterologist, Giulia Enders.

What would explain, for example, that stomach ache in times of stress or anxiety? The brain and gut connect through an intimate nerve network in a two-way communication.

“A gut that doesn’t feel good can hurt our mood more subtly, in the same way that a healthy, well-nourished gut can slightly improve our mood,” writes Enders.

When the starting point is the intestine, the neurons leave the gastrointestinal tract and reach areas of the brain responsible for emotions, memory and motivation, says the work. This also justifies the increased risk of anxiety and depression among those diagnosed with food intolerances or intestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

In an interview with SheetEnders says recent findings have consolidated the links between mental disorders and cognitive decline explored in the book, originally released in the German language nearly 10 years ago.

“We now have very accurate studies linking Parkinson’s disease and depression to changes in bacteria in the gut,” he says.

A Helicobacter pylori, for example, responsible for stomach ulcers, is associated with a greater likelihood of developing Parkinson’s. The overgrowth of bad bacteria can also compromise vitamin absorption, increase the risk of metabolic changes in obese individuals, and cause inflammatory bowel disease.

The types of stimuli sent to the brain depend on food, but the set of microorganisms that live in the intestine is more decisive, says the work. Studies show that the presence of some bacteria in the organ, such as the family of Lactobacilluscan decrease the amount of stress hormones in the blood and increase sleep, learning and memory capacity.

Enders says that consumption of prebiotic foods, which feed good bacteria, such as vegetables or fruits, and fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha, are more beneficial than daily consumption of probiotics, bacteria isolated in the laboratory.

“Maybe it’s not a good idea to have just one good superbug,” he points out. “They can be good when you’ve eaten something not very good or when you’re going to travel, but the rest of the time I’m more in favor of consuming prebiotics, eating in a way that feeds the good bacteria that already live in your gut.”

The more diverse the microorganisms, according to her, the better. Cultivation of good bacteria and fungi can increase pleasure, decrease lack of motivation and extinguish respiratory allergies and food intolerances.

Enders points out that the high consumption of ultra-processed foods, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and excessive cleaning are the most harmful habits for intestinal health, as they reduce protective mucus, eliminate good bacteria and facilitate the proliferation of microorganisms that can cause infections. .

Since the first edition of the book, the evidence for the importance of the organ and its microbiome has become more robust. The work was relaunched in Brazil in 2023 after selling more than 6 million copies worldwide. Although Enders explores the entire gastrointestinal tract, the opener is the anus.

“Everybody knows it’s there, it’s one of the reasons we’re gut-shaming. That’s the thing that people are afraid of and disgusted by, and when they discover that talking about it isn’t scary and can be cool and interesting, so the door is open to talk”, says Enders.

The doctor then invites readers to look at their own feces. Ideally, they should be brown or yellowish-brown in color, long, continuous and sink slowly into the toilet bowl.

Stools that are very pale or dark may indicate bile duct compression or intestinal bleeding, and stool that is very firm or watery may suggest a digestion problem.

Since the “ideal” way to defecate is squatting, doing so while sitting can be difficult. Placing a stool where you can rest your feet in front of the toilet can reduce the time and effort required, says the work.

For the author, knowing the intestine and feeling less ashamed of it makes people have more power over their own health and cooperate with its functioning, no longer ignoring pain and colds, in addition to adopting habits that promote a healthier microbiome .