Your Gut Is Your Second Brain — Do You Know Why?

Your gut has approximately 100 million neurons, which is why it is considered your second brain. The high number of neurons it contains is similar to the spinal cord.

This network of neurons in your gut is capable of making its own decisions.

And uses circuits in its functioning that are as complex as those found only in your primary brain.

Neurons are generally responsible for producing your neurotransmitters, which in turn regulate your emotions. They allow you to feel, love, and suffer—this is why both the central brain and the gut brain play a fundamental role in your mood, which can manifest in emotions like happiness or sadness.

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are produced in the gut; they have specific functions there just like in the brain. Likewise, your gut is where you absorb amino acids, minerals, vitamins, or precursors and cofactors necessary to synthesize these messengers in your brain (Gómez-Eguilaz et al., 2019).

Serotonin in particular, known as the “happiness neurotransmitter,” is produced and stored 95% in the gastrointestinal tract.

Nutrition Plays a Fundamental Role

This is because it affects the gut, which in turn influences both our gut neurons and our psyche. We can conclude that both brains are interconnected and influenced by nutrition.

Your diet could be inflaming your gut and your brain.

It’s important to highlight that some foods can serve as medicine for your body, while others can be toxic.

Through your 3R Protocol, you can identify which foods may be causing inflammation so that you can Remove them, and Replenish your body with the nutrients your gut and brain need through foods rich in:

• Essential micronutrients and antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables
• Healthy fats for your brain, like omega-3 from fish, avocado, etc.

This allows you to Recover not only your gut health but also:

• Energy
• Sleep quality
• Sexual vitality
• Good mood

References:

• Gershon MD. The Second Brain. HarperCollins Publishers: 1999.
• Berk M, et al. So depression is an inflammatory disease… BMC Medicine. 2013.
• McKeith W. You Are What You Eat. Editorial Planeta: 2006.
• Holford P. Optimal Nutrition for the Mind. Ediciones Robinbook: 2005.
• Mayer EA, et al. Gut/brain axis and the microbiota. J Clin Invest. 2015. DOI:10.1172/JCI76304
• Severance EG, et al. Candida albicans and cognitive deficits. npj Schizophrenia. 2016.
• Rosales R. Did agriculture affect human evolution? Herbario CICY. 2016. http://www.cicy.mx/Documentos/CICY/Desde_Herbario/2016/2016-08-11-Rosales-Escalante-Tuvo-la-agricultura-efecto-en-la-evolucion-humana.pdf
• Gómez-Eguilaz et al. (2019). The gut-brain-microbiota axis and its major implications. Neurología, 68(03). https://www.neurologia.com/articulo/2018223