Did you know that you have a second brain? That’s right; housed just a little further south from the brain in your head is the additional think-piece we’re referring to.

Still not sure where it is? It’s in your gut!

Don’t believe it? According to The Harvard Mahoney Neuroscience Institute, “The enteric nervous system that regulates our gut is often called the body’s “second brain.” Although it can’t compose poetry or solve equations, this extensive network uses the same chemicals and cells as the brain to help us digest and to alert the brain when something is amiss. Gut and brain are in constant communication.”

The article goes on to share that “There is immense crosstalk between these two large nerve centers,” says Braden Kuo, MD, MMSc ’04, co-executive director of the Center for Neurointestinal Health at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “This crosstalk affects how we feel and perceive gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and impacts our quality of life. Normally, when we see something tasty, the brain signals the gut to prepare for incoming food. When we feel anxious or stressed, we might experience these as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or “butterflies.” Messages travel from gut to brain, too. This helps explain why, when we eat something that makes us sick, we instinctively avoid the food and even the place we found it.”

It’s all connected.

At Dr. Gena Chiropractic, a leader in family chiropractic care in Plantation, Florida, we’re committed to keeping you, your nervous system AND both of your brains as healthy as can be. In order for your gut to send the right messages to your brain, it needs to feel well. A happy gut equals a healthy gut, after all.

Here are a few ways to ensure your gut is living it’s best and healthiest life:

Think fermented....
Some of the best ways to heal and help your gut can be found at the bottom of the sauerkraut bowl or the pickle jar. Eating fermented foods is one of the best and most effective ways to ensure gut health and replenish healthy gut bacteria. Other examples of ideal fermented foods to include in your diet include kombucha, kimchi, and yogurt.

Avoid these gut killers…
There are certain foods that may be deemed otherwise “healthy” that can still wreak havoc on your healthy gut bacteria. These silent killers include grains, legumes and processed, refined foods. These can be hard to digest and promote perforations in your intestines. It’s critical to reduce your intake of: cookies, crackers, bread, pasta, oats, and in some cases, even brown rice if you’re experiencing symptoms like bloating after eating, painful gas, and feeling foggy throughout the day.

Rest up…
You know we love to share the importance of sleep, and what do you know - a good night’s sleep can also help your gut! Staying rested and practicing stress management are key for a healthy gut. The more tired you are, the easier it becomes to feel stressed out, thus producing cortisol and throwing your gut for a loop. It’s no coincidence that stomachaches and stress seem to occur in tandem.

Add gut-healing supplements to your wellness routine…
There are a slew of supplements on the market dedicated to promoting gut health. Some of our favorites include probiotics (which we have right here in our office for you), as well as:

Zinc
L-glutamine
Collagen peptides
Fiber
Curcumin
Berberine

Visit your chiropractor!
Making sure your body is in proper alignment will promote a healthier nervous system, thus promoting helping your gut to stay healthy. Chiropractic adjustments for gut health are not uncommon, as chiropractic care has been known to help with symptoms of IBS, Crohn’s Disease and other gastrointestinal disorders.

If you’re ready to take control of your gut health, come visit us at Dr. Gena Chiropractic today. Located just minutes west of Fort Lauderdale, we want to ensure that ALL of you is as healthy as can be.

Your health is in your hands, but our hands are here to help.