For many years, researchers have been uncovering the hidden connection between the gut and other organ systems. This connection was once originally thought to only impact certain health conditions, but we are finding now that the gut is linked and interconnected with every aspect of the body. Aside from the gut being a major player in overall health, the brain is a close second. Research has now shown that the Gut-Brain axis impacts the Central Nervous System, the Sympathetic Nervous System, and the Parasympathetic Nervous System.
For many years, researchers have been uncovering the hidden connection between the gut and other organ systems. This connection was once originally thought to only impact certain health conditions, but we are finding now that the gut is linked and interconnected with every aspect of the body. Aside from the gut being a major player in overall health, the brain is a close second. Research has now shown that the Gut-Brain axis impacts the Central Nervous System, the Sympathetic Nervous System, and the Parasympathetic Nervous System.
Table of Contents
The gut-brain axis begins as early as birth. The mother’s vaginal canal houses special microbiota that is transferred to the infant during the birthing process. This microbiota coating kickstarts the child’s microbiome as infants are born essentially “sterile”. If an infant is not exposed to the mother’s microbiota (example: if a child is born via cesarian-section) the infant has a significantly higher chance to develop autoimmune diseases in their lifetime as well as asthma. This is believed to be due to the fact that the bacterial contact the child received was out of order.
There are many factors that influence the development of the microbiota. The most common changes occur from stress, dietary reactions, and certain environmental triggers. The body handles physical and emotional stress the same way, which leads the sympathetic nervous system to ramp up.
We rely heavily on our gut being our first line of defense when succumbed to stress. The second factor that influences the GI tract and the Central Nervous System is dietary components. These dietary components look different for each individual. For some, gluten or dairy products cause inflammatory reactions while others are affected by high fructose diets. High fructose diets have been linked to insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome. These chronic health conditions manifest more inflammation and a higher probability of bacteria gaining access to the epithelial barrier.
One of the last factors that has been shown to impact the microbiota are environmental factors. These factors include toxins that can lead to vitamin deficiencies.
All of the factors mentioned above (stress, high fructose diets, and environmental factors) alter the cytokine levels throughout the body. When cytokines are altered, brain chemistry and neurotransmitters are altered. Cytokines have the ability to bypass the Blood-Brain Barrier. This directly acts on levels of serotonin released, overall affecting the mood and behaviors individuals feel.
It is important to realize how the body systems are interconnected and just how easy one aspect can influence bodily function.
Everything begins in the gut, which essentially means everything begins in the kitchen. Being aware of the nutritional components you ingest, will significantly improve gut health, leading to improved brain health. We often do not connect depression or headaches with our gut and diet, but it is one of the main factors that impact our overall health! Eating an anti-inflammatory diet and maintaining a regular exercise regime is a great place to start. – Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach
References
Vreeland, Chapter: “The Gut-Brain Axis: The Role of the Gut in Brain Health,” 2015 from Integrative “Therapies for Depression: Redefining Models for Assessment, Treatment and Prevention.”
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
General Disclaimer, Licenses and Board Certifications *
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "The Guts Relation to Optimal Brain Health " is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & Wellness Blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a Multi-State board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those on this site and on our family practice-based chiromed.com site, focusing on naturally restoring health for patients of all ages.
Our areas of multidisciplinary practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.
Our information scope is multidisciplinary, focusing on musculoskeletal and physical medicine; wellness; contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations; associated somato-visceral reflex clinical dynamics; subluxation complexes; sensitive health issues; and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and licensure jurisdiction. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.
Our videos, posts, topics, and insights address clinical matters and issues that directly or indirectly relate to our clinical scope of practice.
Our office has made a reasonable effort to provide supportive citations and has identified relevant research studies that support our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Multidisciplinary Licensing & Board Certifications:
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License #: TX5807, Verified: TX5807
New Mexico DC License #: NM-DC2182, Verified: NM-DC2182
Multi-State Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN*) in Texas & Multi-States
Multi-state Compact APRN License by Endorsement (42 States)
Texas APRN License #: 1191402, Verified: 1191402 *
Florida APRN License #: 11043890, Verified: APRN11043890 *
Colorado License #: C-APN.0105610-C-NP, Verified: C-APN.0105610-C-NP
New York License #: N25929, Verified N25929
License Verification Link: Nursys License Verifier
* Prescriptive Authority Authorized
ANCC FNP-BC: Board Certified Nurse Practitioner*
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Master's in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
(Board Certified: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner—Multistate)*
(Licensed Nurse Practitioner & Chiropractor - Multistate)*
Clinical Director
Digital Business Card
Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified: Internal Medicine)
(Licensed Medical Doctor)
Medical Director, Clinical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426749
MD License #: J2933
Licenses and Board Certifications:
MD: Medical Doctor
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
APRNP: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
FNP-BC: Family Practice Specialization (Multi-State Board Certified)
RN: Registered Nurse (Multi-State Compact License)
CFMP: Certified Functional Medicine Provider
MSN-FNP: Master of Science in Family Practice Medicine
MSACP: Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice
IFMCP: Institute of Functional Medicine
CCST: Certified Chiropractic Spinal Trauma
ATN: Advanced Translational Neutrogenomics
Memberships & Associations:
TCA: Texas Chiropractic Association: Member ID: 104311
AANP: American Association of Nurse Practitioners: Member ID: 2198960
ANA: American Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222 (District TX01)
TNA: Texas Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222
NPI: 1205907805
| Primary Taxonomy | Selected Taxonomy | State | License Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | NM | DC2182 |
| Yes | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | TX | DC5807 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | TX | 1191402 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | FL | 11043890 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | CO | C-APN.0105610-C-NP |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | NY | N25929 |
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
(Board Certified: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner—Multistate)*
(Licensed Nurse Practitioner & Chiropractor - Multistate)*
Clinical Director
Digital Business Card
Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified: Internal Medicine)*
(Licensed Medical Doctor)*
Medical Director, Clinical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426749
MD License #: J2933
Dr Maria Cardenas, MD, Medical License Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD (Board Certified in Internal Medicine)… Read More
How PRP Composition Influences Healing and Recovery Abstract In the evolving field of regenerative medicine,… Read More
by: Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST Read More
Regenerative Medicine for Hip Osteoarthritis: An Integrative Approach to Pain and Function Abstract Hip osteoarthritis… Read More
by Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST Read More
El Paso Motorcycle Brain Injury Recovery After a Helmeted Crash A motorcycle helmet can save… Read More
Personal Injury, Trauma & Spine Rehab. Specialists