More Than A Gut Feeling

Have you ever had the feeling of anticipation such as butterflies in your stomach? Ever had goosebumps, a sinking feeling, a sense of something being “off”, whether it is about another person or something in your own body? These are examples of intuition or a gut feeling. Call it a hunch or call it instinct, they have long been viewed as a way of protection from physical as well as emotional harm. David Myers, Ph.D says “The intuitive right brain is almost always “reading” your surroundings, even when your conscious left brain is otherwise engaged. The body can register this information while the conscious mind remains blissfully unaware of what’s going on.”

But what about food when it comes to the gut and gut health? A Quarter Pounder Meal (no cheese) Super Sized with a Dr. Pepper, and six piece McNuggets with BBQ sauce and an apple pie. That is an example of what I would eat after a tennis match or cross country practice in high school. A late night meal of 4 Krystals with Chili Cheese Fries and a soda was devoured numerous times during my college days. I cannot begin to tell you the amount of processed foods and sugar I have eaten in my lifetime. Peanut M&Ms have always been great for a road trip or the golf course, and I still think the McRib is the best fast food sandwich ever created. My thought process was that lettuce and onions on a burger constituted eating my vegetables. And who does not love french fries? I mean, potatoes are a vegetable.

Growing up (and when I say growing up, I mean until I was diagnosed with ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) in 2017) I did not fully comprehend how what we consume is more than just eating something because you are hungry. How everything we put into our body can affect us positively or negatively. From our mood to chronic illness, the negative side effects of an unhealthy diet are dire. I will admit that there were plenty of people who tried to convey the message. It was just never received because the alternative always tasted better.

Uma Naidoo, MD wrote in an article for Harvard Health Publishing “What we eat, especially foods that contain chemical additives and ultra-processed foods, affects our gut environment and increases our risk of diseases. Ultra-processed foods contain substances extracted from food (such as sugar and starch), added from food constituents (hydrogenated fats), or made in a laboratory (flavor enhancers, food colorings). It’s important to know that ultra-processed foods such as fast foods are manufactured to be extra tasty by the use of such ingredients or additives, and are cost effective to the consumer. These foods are very common in the typical Western diet. Some examples of processed foods are canned foods, sugar-coated dried fruits, and salted meat products. Some examples of ultra-processed foods are soda, sugary or savory packaged snack foods, packaged breads, buns and pastries, fish or chicken nuggets, and instant noodle soups.”  

We need to make better food choices. Eating a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables will promote healthier living. They provide the fiber necessary to build good bacteria and guard our gut health.

What is the Gut Microbiome and How Does It Affect You?

The gut microbiome is the term used for the microorganisms living in your intestines. We all have approximately 200 species of viruses, bacteria, and fungi in our digestive tract. There are some microorganisms which are harmful to our health, as well as those that are beneficial and even necessary for a healthy body. There are studies showing that having a large variety of bacteria in the gut may help to reduce the risk of health conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, diabetes, and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease).

An article from Cleveland Clinic states “The gut-brain connection is complex and bidirectional. Signals pass both ways between your digestive system and central nervous system, and health or disease in one can affect the other. Key players in this connection include your enteric nervous system, your vagus nerve and your gut microbiome.”

“Believe it or not, the bacteria that live in your gut are also involved in your gut-brain connection. Gut microbes produce or help produce many of the chemical neurotransmitters that convey messages between your gut and brain. They also produce other chemicals that can affect your brain through your bloodstream. Your brain and gut, in turn, can affect your gut microbiome by altering its environment. Recent studies have shown that the gut microbiome may be involved in various neurological, mental health and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Functional disorders are those that cause persistent symptoms but don’t have any obvious physical cause. There’s a significant overlap among people who have functional gastrointestinal disorders, like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), and who have mental health disorders, like anxiety.”

The gut microbiome varies in individuals as it is affected by multiple factors. These factors include:

• The use of antibiotics

• Environment

• Stress

• Genetics

• Diet

Signs of an unhealthy gut include:

• Upset stomach

• Unintentional weight changes

• Lack of sleep

• Skin irritation

• Autoimmune conditions

• Food intolerance

Things you can do to improve your gut health:

• Lower stress

• Get adequate sleep

• Eating slowly

• Staying hydrated

• Taking a prebiotic or probiotic

• Changing your diet

The gut and brain are extremely connected as they are in constant communication through nerves and chemical signals. There are around 100 - 600 million neurons in your gut as a part of your ENS (Enteric Nervous System). Around 95% of our body’s seratonin, which plays a key role in functions such as mood, sleep, and digestion, is produced by the ENS and not the brain. It is affected by what we eat, our microbiome, and the signals from the vagus nerve to the brain. Being cognizant of this connection and taking care of your gut health as well as your mental health can benefit your overall health.

A Friend In Need

My friend Manish Kanji from Austin, Texas has had quite a couple of years, to put it mildly. Manish received a heart transplant on January 29, 2022 and has been enjoying his life since. An exceptional father of two boys, Aney and Ayaan, and loving husband to his wife Mukti, he received a heart transplant on January 29, 2022. Unfortunately, he now faces another challenge…kidney failure. Poor heart health has led to Manish now needing a kidney transplant.

The life-saving miracle that was his heart transplant has given Manish priceless time with his family. Although he is on dialysis, he remains active, goes to the gym, and even took a family trip to New York recently. His positive outlook and willingness to fight combined with the love and support of friends and family are helping carry him through all of this.

A kidney transplant would mean, yet again, a new life. A new kidney would improve the function of Manish’s heart and ensure he is with us for many precious moments by letting him live his life to the fullest. Manish’s blood type is B+ and can receive a kidney from those with either blood types B+, B-, O+ or O-. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a living donor for him, or would like to learn more about what it means to be a living donor, please email me at [email protected] or Manish directly at [email protected]. We greatly appreciate your consideration.

Mental Health Moment

It is becoming more and more prevalent for people to compare themselves, what their reality is, and/or their material possessions, with others. Social Comparison is emotionally destructive and has been climbing with the ever increasing popularity of social media.

Comparing yourself to someone who appears to be more successful or happier leads to states of sadness and insecurities. This tendency is compounded when a person already has low self-esteem.

Make a conscious effort to avoid Social Comparison. Take steps to become more self aware and accept your strengths as well as your weaknesses. We all have them. No matter what anyone else is doing or what they have, focus on yourself. Make it a goal of becoming a better you by improving 1% each day. After all, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Please remember, I am not a medical professional, nor is any of this medical advice. I am just out here living A Kidney Life.