Your Guts and Your Health - Dr. Llewellyn Johnson

Dr/ Llewellyn Johnson

'Follow your gut', is a phrase indicating that you heed to your intuition. In this case we literally need to pay particular attention to our gut. Why? You may ask. The gut is the gastrointestinal tract which is the tube that begins in our mouth and ends up in our anus. For this presentation we will pay particular attention to both small and especially the large intestine. Apart from aiding in digestion of the food we eat, it is the home to a host of various organisms with complex relationships with each other and to the digestive tract itself. There is an estimated 100 trillion of these cells which is 100 times more than what is contained in our body. Also there are at least 1000 different types of these organisms. However, 90% are bacteria. There is a constant tug of war that exists between the “good “ and “bad” ones. Once the balance is tipped in favor of the bad bacteria, manifestation of various illnesses ensues. This is what is termed, Gut Flora Dysbiosis.

We now focus on how our gut flora affects our health both locally in the gut and also systematically - that is. the rest of the body. A healthy gut contains good bacteria which breaks down the indigestible carbohydrates (fiber) into very important byproducts of Short Chained Fatty Acids (SCFAs), butyrate, proprionate and acetate. These SCFAs have profound impact on the integrity of the gut. These are anti inflammatory agents which acts to arrest any inflammation which exists and also allows for the tight junctions of the gut surface to be intact. This prevents unwanted substances from escaping in the bloodstream. Also it helps the gut to produce a mucus film which adds another layer of protection to the gut surface. Once there is proliferation of the bad bacteria, there is significant reduction or elimination of the mucus film and SCFAs, thereby allowing these unwanted bacteria to interact with the surface of the gut. This sets up a cascade of inflammatory responses leading to inflammation. This causes a distortion of the shape and function and we end up with an Irritable Bowel Syndrome which comprises of abdominal aches and change of bowel motion.

Another key point is that this dysbiosis results in the loss of the integrity of the tightness of the lumen’s surface and thus results in what is called a leaky gut syndrome. This results in unwanted substances from the gut leaking in the bloodstream. These substances are seen as foreign and are recognized by specialized units in our immune system. An inflammatory response is created and this then attacks certain structures such as insulin receptors which is situated on our muscles. The purpose of these receptors is to hold on to the insulin so that it can draw the excess sugars in our muscles which will be utilized in energy production. Once this mechanism malfunctions, persons can develop type 2 Diabetes.

SCFAs are key to brain health. They are needed to maintain the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) intact. This is a special type of covering for the brain and is selective for what enters through its very tiny pores. The SCFAs are also needed to maintain the circuitry and also to prevent inflammation. Once there is alterations of the supply of theses substances, any agents of inflammation can find it’s way through the BBB, causing inflammation inside the brain thus results in plaque formation and cross circuitry. The results of this is the formation of Degenerative Brain Diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease. This disease is a progressive neurological disorder which results in brain shrinkage and death and therefore results in impairment of memory, thinking and social skills. 

These simplified pathologies are just a few of the many adverse effects on our health as a result of the disharmony in our gut flora community. Now that we have an appreciation of its importance, we now need to know how to keep good gut health.

• Adequate Sleep 
• Reduce Stress 
• Reduce or eliminate intake of pro inflammatory substances such as; refined oils and simple sugars 
• Ingestion of high fiber diet and good quality oils
• Exercise 

Now let’s start listening to our guts.

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Note:

Dr. Llewellyn Johnson is a Medical Practitioner who believes in proper nutrition, natural cures and that the body can heal itself once given the proper tools. He also operates the J and J Urgent Care Center where doctors attend to your urgent health care needs. They are located at 39 Ward Ave., Mandeville, Manchester. Contact numbers are (876) 589-0608 or  (876) 207-1644.

He will be my guest on SpotOn on Tuesday, June 28 at 1100 am or 1100 hours EST.

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