– By Robert Gilliland, B.S., D.C –
Fatigued? Difficultly Losing Weight? Brain Fog? Lack Motivation? Depression? Stressed? Catch Every Cold That Comes Around? Getting Old Before Your Time?
What could be the cause of all the above symptoms? Bad gut health. Nothing affects your overall health quite like your gut health. So how did your gut get so unhealthy? It could be stress, not chewing your food properly, a decrease in stomach acid or digestive enzymes, or it could be a diet high in inflammatory foods (Standard American Diet). Whatever the reason, this led to some degree of inflammation, infection and/or gut dysbiosis. Keep reading and I will explain how gut dysbiosis can cause all of the above.
Fatigue
Gut dysbiosis causes oxidative stress. Oxidative stress decreases ATP, your body’s energy currency. It also decreases TSH, the hormone that tells your thyroid to get to work. It also decreases conversion of T4 (storage form of thyroid hormone) into T3 (biologically active thyroid hormone). It even decreases thyroid receptor site function, making it difficult for thyroid hormone to get into your cells. Every cell in your body has thyroid receptors, even your brain. If thyroid hormone isn’t getting into your cells it could cause all of the above symptoms.
Inability To Lose Weight
Besides affecting thyroid function, gut dysbiosis also increases the fat hormone, Ghrelin. Ghrelin tells your brain that you are hungry. It also decreases a hormone called leptin. Leptin has the opposite effect, it tells your brain that you are full and to stop eating.
Brain Fog
Gut dysbiosis decreases neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Decreased dopamine means less willpower and a lack of motivation. A lack of serotonin can lead to depression. It also affects the hippocampus, an area of your brain that converts short-term memory into long-term memory. If you can remember events from years ago but can’t remember what you had for breakfast, it’s a sign that your hippocampus is not functioning properly.
Aging
Gut dysbiosis increases oxidative stress. This is basically like rusting from the inside out. When you oxidize the tissue under your skin, your skin wrinkles.
Immune Function
Gut dysbiosis can decrease the amount of SIgA, a layer of immune particles produced by your body to protect the lining of your intestines against bad bacteria. This can lead to intestinal permeability or leaky gut, allowing undigested food particles into your system causing your immune system to attack. When this happens your immune system gets confused and starts attacking your own tissue.
Sleep
Gut dysbiosis can cause an increase in the stress hormone cortisol. High cortisol levels can throw your circadian rhythm out of balance, making it difficult to go to sleep at night and feeling sluggish during the day, especially in the mornings. Increased cortisol can increase your glucose levels, making you a candidate for type II diabetes.
So if you are looking for one thing that will have the biggest impact on your health choose your gut.
We Can Help
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call Southwest Florida Natural Health Center at 239-444-3106, or visit us online at www.swfthyroid.com.
239-444-3106
www.swfthyroid.com