The Importance of Good Gut Health and Function
The "gut" or gastrointestinal tract (GI) refers to your entire digestive system, from your mouth to your anus. In the USA, over 62 million people suffer from gut-related disorders, costing $41 billion annually. The troubling part of this statistic is that most of these issues are preventable and stem from poor diet, toxic exposure (like contaminated food, drinks, and medications), and lifestyles that harm the gut’s healthy bacteria balance.
The human gut is often called the "second brain" and is a vital organ. During fetal development, the brain and gut nervous system (enteric nervous system) form from the same tissue. These two systems are connected by the vagal nerve, which runs from the brainstem to the abdomen, passing through organs like the heart, esophagus, and lungs. The gut is a 30-foot tube running from the mouth to the anus, with the surface area of a tennis court. It holds 80% of our immune system and contains 100 trillion bacteria, weighing up to seven pounds. The connection between the gut and brain is known as the "gut-brain axis."
THE GUT HAS MANY VITAL FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING:
The digestion of food using chewing, gastric acid, enzyme secretions, and the correct microbiome.
The absorption of digested nutrients and water via a healthy gut lining.
“Gut-brain axis” communicating with the brain via neurotransmitters and the enteric nervous system.
Being the first line of defense against foreign microbes and toxins with secretory IgA as the primary antibody produced in the gut.
The elimination of undigested waste products and toxins from the bowel.
The gut is an “outside organ” within us and is a complex 30-foot tube which has the surface area of a double’s tennis court. It has 80% of our total immune system and harbors 100 trillion bacteria (ten times the number of human cells making up our body) with a collective weight of 3-3.5kg.
Synthesizes many nutrients and neurotransmitters.
The health of the gut is crucial when preparing for conception, during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Research has shown that the microorganisms in the gut play vital roles in immunity, hormone regulation, and metabolism. The gut also has the second largest network of nerve cells outside the brain, called the enteric nervous system, with over 1 million nerve cells that communicate with the brain through the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve controls digestion, heart rate, breathing, and reflex actions like sneezing and swallowing. The enteric nervous system helps mix food with digestive enzymes and moves it through the stomach and intestines. Even during sleep, the brain interacts with the gut, coordinating contractions with different sleep stages.
Dr. Michael Gershon, a professor of anatomy and cell biology at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, dubs the entire gastrointestinal system the body's second nervous system.
"The brain is not the only place in the body that's full of neurotransmitters," says Dr. Gershon. "A hundred million neurotransmitters line the length of the gut, approximately the same number that is found in the brain. If we add the nerve cells of the esophagus, stomach and large intestine, there are more nerve cells in the gut than there are in the entire remainder of the peripheral nervous system.”
This communication between the gut and the brain is the reason why we may have butterflies in the stomach if anxious or nervous, fatigue after eating certain foods, and nausea if we are frightened or worried. The term, “trust your gut instinct” is derived from this communication between our two brains, and if you do not feel upset in the gut, a better decision will likely occur.
The gut and its microbiome, which consists of millions of bacteria, are exposed to many harmful factors like gluten, toxins, medications (such as antibiotics), and environmental chemicals. These can disrupt the balance of gut microbes, leading to a condition called "dysbiosis." This imbalance can damage the gut lining, making it "leaky" or hyper-permeable. When this happens, harmful microbes and toxins can enter the body, potentially affecting brain function and causing inflammation, which leads to various symptoms.
Hippocrates (the Greek physician) stated over 2,000 years ago, “All diseases begin in the gut.”
The condition of our gut has a major impact on our overall health. A healthy gut supports brain function, mental health, and immunity. By promoting beneficial bacteria (the microbiome) through diet, we strengthen the immune system and improve its function. Personalizing this approach enhances the health of our "second brain." This is especially important during times of toxicity, as a healthy gut helps eliminate toxins from the liver. It also improves nutrient digestion and absorption, while protecting the body from harmful pathogens, supporting overall health.
IF YOU SUFFER FROM ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND SYMPTOMS, SUPPORTING YOUR GUT IS OF MASSIVE IMPORTANCE:
Psoriasis
Migraine headaches
Fibromyalgia
Reynaud’s Disease
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Infantile Colic
Atopic Dermatitis
Asthma
Sjogren’s disease
Reiter’s disease
Hemorrhoids
Elevated cholesterol
Low B vitamin status
Myasthenia Gravis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Depression
Gall Stones
Peptic Ulcer
Anal Disorders - hemorrhoids, fissures, abscesses
Common gut related signs and symptoms - belching, abdominal pain, bloating and distention, red anal area, stools that are offensive, irregular in consistency, alternating coloration, undigested foods, mucus, and blood in the stool.
Allergic disorders
Arthritis
Cancer
Eczema/atopic dermatitis
Heart disease and atherosclerosis
Learning disorders
Crohn’s Disease
GERD
Irritable Bowel Syndrome/Disease
Enterocolitis
Diverticular disease
Diarrhea
Constipation
Ulcerative colitis
Cystitis
Celiac disease
Gastritis
Mouth Ulcers
Bad Breath/Halitosis
Vaginitis
Gastroenteritis
Gut inflammation
“Leaky gut” or increased permeability of the gut
Intestinal gas
Dysbiosis (imbalanced levels of good to bad bacteria)
Candidiasis
Eczema
Diabetes
Fibromyalgia
Obesity and fat gain
Scleroderma
Liver stress
Poor digestion
Antibiotic usage
Low secretory IgA
What can I do to support my gut and digestive system?
Mothers2B has designed five specific packages to support your gut health. These have been formulated by GI experts using the purest, high-quality products. The complete gut health restoration protocol will last for a period of 9 weeks in total. It is vital that gut health is restored first in preconception healthcare.
Please purchase all 5 packages and take as recommended on each product label or as directed by your healthcare provider. It is important for each of the packages to be taken in the order provided below and for that specific timeline. For example Package 1 “Protect” is taken from the beginning of week 1 through to the end of week 9.
PRECONCEPTION
Package 1 “Protect”
Secretory IgA is a crucial part of our immune system, serving as the first line of defense against harmful invaders. It lines the mucosal surfaces of the digestive tract, nasal passages, lungs, eyes, skin, urinary tract, and vagina. Secretory IgA helps protect against harmful pathogens in the gut, controls the balance of "good" bacteria, and removes food antigens and toxins before they can enter the bloodstream. This reduces food allergies and other immune responses.
IgA plays a vital role in maintaining a balanced gut microbiota by binding to and coating specific bacteria in the intestines. It ensures a diverse and stable microbial community that supports immunity and overall health. As our "gatekeeper," Secretory IgA controls the balance of the microbiome, which is essential for metabolism, immune function, and the integrity of the gut barrier.
During childbirth, a healthy microbiome is crucial for the newborn. The birth canal exposes the baby to beneficial bacteria, helping establish their own microbiome and immune system, which supports their ability to digest and absorb food.
TAKE FROM WEEK 1 THROUGH WEEK 9
PRECONCEPTION
Package 2 “Remove”
If the gut has weak immunity due to low levels of secretory IgA and insufficient beneficial bacteria, it's important to first focus on removing harmful microbes like pathogens, fungi, and parasites. This is a key step in the "Protect" phase of gut immunity. Clearing these foreign microbes will reduce the toxins they produce and create space in the gut for beneficial bacteria to thrive. This sets the stage for the next step, which is the "Restore" phase, where beneficial bacteria are introduced through the Mothers2B Restore Package to help rebalance the gut microbiome.
TAKE FROM WEEK 3 THROUGH WEEK 6
PRECONCEPTION
Package 3 “Repair”
The gut has the fastest cell turnover of any organ in the body, so its cells need constant nourishment. The two main fuels for gut cells are glutamine, an amino acid from protein digestion that supports small intestine cells, and butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid from fiber fermentation that supports large intestine cells. Other helpful nutrients include inulin, glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, E, and C. Foods rich in glycans, such as apples, asparagus, bananas, carrots, celery, kiwis, onions, oranges, pears, strawberries, and walnuts, are also beneficial.
Once the gut lining is repaired, it can function properly. Closing the gaps between gut cells reduces permeability and inflammation, especially from harmful foods like gluten. Supporting the growth of villi (finger-like projections in the small intestine) also aids nutrient absorption. Removing allergenic foods like gluten, corn, eggs, dairy, sugar, and refined carbs is important, as they promote harmful bacteria and fungi.
Alcohol, drugs, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, and caffeine should also be avoided because they can damage the gut and microbiome.
TAKE FROM WEEK 3 THROUGH WEEK 9
PRECONCEPTION
Package 4 “Restore”
Beneficial bacteria play several key roles in the body, such as helping with digestion, producing essential vitamins like B vitamins and short-chain fatty acids, boosting immunity by stimulating secretory IgA production, and crowding out harmful bacteria. To restore healthy gut bacteria, it's important to consume a high number of probiotics—typically 30-150 billion CFUs per day. Foods rich in beneficial bacteria, such as miso soup, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, pickles, tempeh, kimchi, poi, and kvass, can also help restore gut health.
Building and maintaining a healthy community of beneficial bacteria is crucial for both your health and the future health of your baby. Research shows that beneficial bacteria are transferred to the unborn child during the third trimester, natural birth, and breastfeeding, which are essential for developing the baby's immune system and establishing their gut microbiome.
TAKE FROM WEEK 3 THROUGH WEEK 6
PRECONCEPTION
Package 5 “Digest”
Digestion is essential for gut health. Properly chewing food and ensuring sufficient gastric secretions with the right acidic pH are crucial for stimulating the release of bicarbonate and digestive enzymes from the pancreas. When food isn't fully digested, it can trigger food allergies, as the immune system attacks undigested particles in the bowel. These undigested foods can ferment and decay, producing harmful toxins, causing inflammation, and leading to dysbiosis. Complete digestion is key to maximizing nutrient absorption. Enzymes play a vital role in digestion, and low stomach acid or poor pancreatic function can reduce enzyme activity, leading to incomplete digestion.
TAKE FROM WEEK 1 THROUGH WEEK 9
Taking care of the health and function of the gut is crucial for overall well-being and optimal bodily function.
*Mothers2B is not a health care provider. We are not licensed health care practitioners, and we do not practice medicine. We do not diagnose or treat any disease. You should consult your health care provider before using any dietary supplements. The statements on this website, including product labels, supporting literature and/or product manufacturer’s websites have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.