Day 159 - Gut

“There has been a growing recognition of the intimate connection between gut and brain in recent years. The gut contains the highest concentration of nerve cells outside of the brain and for this reason has been referred to as the "second brain".

The gut also contains much higher concentrations of serotonin than the brain, even though this neurotransmitter chemical is most known for its effect on mood and brain function.

The gut's brain, known as the enteric nervous system, is located in sheaths of tissue lining the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon. Considered a single entity, it is a network of neurons, neurotransmitters and proteins that zap messages between neurons, support cells like those found m the brain proper and a complex circuitry that enables it to act independently, learn, remember and, as the saying goes, produce gut feelings.

In fact, anyone who has ever felt butterflies in the stomach before giving a speech, a gut feeling that flies in the face of fact or a bout of intestinal urgency the night before an examination has experienced the actions of the dual nervous systems.

With this knowledge of the tight connection between gut and brain it starts to become apparent why sufferers of a number of diseases often experience many mood and neurological disorders.”*

*http://www.ei-resource.org/illness-information/related-conditions/celiac-disease/
http://www.pheromonetalk.com/studies-abstracts/second-brain-stomach-113.html

I have been seeing the kinesiologist for a few months now, and very much trust his judgement and knowledge of the human body.

During our sessions, he has also examined my shoulder, which I have been unable to sleep on for over one year. In January doctors suggested a possible operation, but I knew that was not the right way forward.

The kinesiologist has successfully fixed my shoulder - not in its entirety, but it is causing me a lot less pain and aggravation than before. I am therefore feeling very hopeful that he will also be able to solve my perplexing headache.

It has crossed my mind that the headache may somehow be linked to my troublesome shoulder, but the muscle testing shows that the headache is due to an internal problem.

The kinesiologist believes the pain may well be associated, albeit not directly, with my gut.

He explained the close relation between the gut and the brain. Given that the former is home to the second highest amount of nerve cells outside of the brain, its functionality is vital to our well-being. The two brains are interconnected: when one gets upset, the other does too.

He has given me more supplements to detoxify and help cleanse my gut.