Understanding Auto-Immune Conditions
Auto-immune conditions occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues. One possible trigger for these immune responses is the presence of bacteria from the gut that pass through the gastrointestinal lining, leading to inflammation and potentially affecting other organs. Chronic auto-immune disorders like systemic lupus and autoimmune liver disease present significant challenges in treatment, but recent developments in therapies that specifically target the bacteria responsible for triggering these autoimmune reactions offer hope for improved outcomes.
Mood Changes
Did you know that the gut plays a crucial role in regulating mood? Surprisingly, around 90% of the body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for transmitting messages within the body, is produced in the gut. Serotonin not only influences various biological functions but also has a direct impact on mood.
When the gut is unhealthy, it can disrupt mood just as it interferes with sleep. This disruption occurs due to communication between the gut and the brain via the vagus nerve and the gut-brain axis. It is worth noting that mood disorders are often treated with medications called SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which can sometimes cause gastrointestinal side effects.