The importance of good gut health and function
When we refer to the “gut” or gastrointestinal tract (GI), we are talking about your entire digestive system, starting with your mouth, and ending with your anus. There is currently an epidemic in gut related disorders in the USA affecting more than 62 million people, at a cost of $41 billion per year. The disturbing thing about this statistic is that most of these gut related disorders are preventable and the result of poor diet, toxic exposure (including contaminated foods, drinks, drugs and medication), and a lifestyle which negatively affects the microbiome (body’s healthy balance of bacteria in the gut).
The human gut is your “second brain”, derived from the same neural tissue as the brain, and is one of the most important organs in the whole body. The fetal tissue divides during embryonic development and splits into two parts; the brain (including the central nervous system) and the enteric nervous system of the gut. These two parts are joined together by the vagal nerve, a major nervous system, which extends from the brainstem to the abdomen (via organs including the heart, esophagus and lungs). The gut is an “outside organ” within our body and is a complex 30-foot tube running from our mouth to our anus which has the surface area of a double’s tennis court. It contains 80% of our total immune system and harbors 100 trillion bacteria (ten times the total number of human cells making up our entire body) with a collective weight of up to seven pounds. The gut and its close association with the brain is often referred to 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 and functioning of the gut are extremely important in preparing to conceive, throughout pregnancy, birth and while breastfeeding. In recent years, microbiome research has revealed essential roles of the microorganisms living in the gut and their importance in immunity, endocrine function, and metabolism. The gut has the second largest network of nerve cells outside of the brain structure, known as the enteric nervous system, with over 1,000,000 million nerve cells in the lining of the gut which communicates directly with the brain via the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is responsible for digestion, heart rate, breathing, cardiovascular activity and reflex actions such as sneezing, coughing, swallowing, and vomiting. The enteric nervous system regulates the gullet, stomach, small and large intestines by mixing food with digestive enzymes and pushing food along the tract. Even during sleep, the brain “talks to the gut” increasing gut contractions in timing with Rapid Eye Movement sleep (REM) and slow these contractions during slow wave sleep.
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 (the millions of bacteria living in it) are exposed to many inflammatory agents such as gluten and the stimulation and release of zonulin (a chemical that damages the gut lining), foreign bugs, medications such as antibiotics, chemicals and toxins found in our food, environmental toxins, and compounds that can disturb the balance of these microbes causing a state of “dysbiosis.” These directly impact the health of the gut membrane and the bacteria living on it which can result in damage to the integrity of the gut wall causing a “leaky” or hyper-permeable gut. If this happens the whole body is open to an influx of foreign microbes and toxins that are known to induce altered brain expressions and inflammatory responses in the body leading to a multitude of symptoms.
Hippocrates (the Greek physician) stated over 2,000 years ago, “All diseases begin in the gut.”
The condition of our gut significantly impacts our overall health. A healthy gut supports neurological, psychological, and immunological well-being. By nurturing beneficial bacteria (the microbiome) through diet, we boost the immune system and enhance its function. Personalizing this approach optimizes the health of our "second brain." This becomes especially crucial during periods of bodily toxicity, as a healthy gut aids in eliminating toxins from the liver. Furthermore, it improves nutrient digestion and absorption, effectively defending against harmful pathogens, thereby safeguarding 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 the most important component of our entire immune system and one that must be supported as our first line of defense to protect us from invading bad guys. Secretory IgA lines the mucosal surfaces of our digestive tract, nasal passages, sinuses, lungs, eyes, ears, skin, urinary tract, and vagina. Production of IgA at mucosal surfaces contributes to host defense against intestinal pathogens and governs quantitative and qualitative control of commensal “good” microbiota composition by the host and is also responsible for removing food antigens and toxins that pass through the mucosal membrane back across that membrane and into the lymphatic system for destruction before they enter the blood system. This, in turn, reduces atopic responses and food allergies.
IgA plays a critical and non-redundant role in controlling gut microbiota composition in humans IgA is secreted into the intestinal lumen, where it binds to and ‘coats’ specific members of the microbiota —the trillions of bacteria that constitutively colonize these “wet” mucosal membranes including the human intestinal tract.
Secretory IgA has evolved to maintain a diverse and stable gut microbial community that promotes immunity and human health. Secretory IGA is our “gatekeeper” and dictates our balanced microbiome. The gut microbiota is essential for host physiology, as it regulates the metabolism, epithelial barrier integrity, and immune system development and function. As you give birth to your baby having a healthy microbiome is essential for the newborn baby as the birth canal will provide the first exposure to outside bacteria and is important to help establish the baby’s microbiome and with that the baby’s immune system and abilities to better digest and absorb food.
TAKE FROM WEEK 1 THROUGH WEEK 9
Saccharomyces Boulardii to support secretory IgA production.
Galactomune Th1/Th2 immune supportive prebiotic
PRECONCEPTION
Package 2 “Remove”
If the gut has poor immunity because of low levels of secretory IGA and insufficient commensal bacteria (good bacteria) it is important to remove pathogenic or foreign microbes in the gut following the start of Package 1 “Protect” gut immunity. Removing foreign bacteria, fungi and parasites in the gut will not only reduce the toxins produced by them but will clear space in the gut ready for the colonization by beneficial bacteria following our Mothers2B restore package.
TAKE FROM WEEK 3 THROUGH WEEK 6
Biocidin Botanicals Biocidin LSF Liposomal Formula Liquid.
Apex Energetics Gi- Synergy -SM a blend of antimicrobial, fungal and parasitic formula
PRECONCEPTION
Package 3 “Repair”
The gut is a structure with the fastest cell turnover of any organ in the body. The cells of the gut wall need constant fuel and the two most important fuels are glutamine, an amino acid derived from the digestion of protein to support the small intestinal cells and butyrate, a short chain fatty acids derived from the fermentation of soluble fiber, to support the cells of the large intestine. Inulin, glucosamine, omega 3 essential fatty acids and zinc, vitamins A, E and C are also supportive nutrients. Supportive foods rich in specific glycans include apple, asparagus, banana, carrot, celery, kiwi, onion, orange, pear, strawberry, and walnut.
Only once the gut lining has been repaired can it function optimally. Closing the junctions between the cells reduces intestinal permeability, reducing inflammation caused by poor foods especially gluten can assist and supporting the growth of the villi (finger like projections in the small intestine) will support nutrient absorption. It is again important to remove allergenic foods including gluten, corn, eggs, dairy products, sugar, and refined carbohydrates as these promote fungi and nasty bacteria.
Alcohol, drugs especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) such as ibuprofen and caffeine are removed as these affect the integrity of the micro biome and gut wall.
TAKE FROM WEEK 3 THROUGH WEEK 9
ProThera GastroThera Powder to support intestinal permeability.
Premier Research Labs Premier Aloe to support gut healing and detoxification.
DaVinci Labs Liposomal ADK
Pure Encapsulations Liposomal Vitamin C liquid
Vitamin E
Nordic Naturals Arctic-D Cod Liver Oil (oil containing essential fatty acids including EPA and DHA)
PRECONCEPTION
Package 4 “Restore”
Beneficial bacteria have multiple functions such as completion of digestion, manufacturing of vital vitamins such as B vitamins and short chain fatty acids as well as stimulating secretory IgA production and boosting immunity whilst crowding out the bad guys. It is important to provide a high number of probiotics (30-150 billion CFU’s per day) as beneficial bacteria to help restore healthy bacterial populations in the gut. Consuming foods high in beneficial bacteria such as miso soup, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, pickles, tempeh, kimchi, poi and kvass may also be beneficial in restoring healthy bacterial levels. Building and reinforcing a new community of healthy, beneficial bacteria is vitally important to your health and the future health of your baby. There is evidence that bacteria transfer to your unborn child in the third trimester, during natural birth and breastfeeding and are imperative to their immune system and initial colonization of their gut.
TAKE FROM WEEK 3 THROUGH WEEK 6
Klaire labs Ther-Biotic complete a maximum support probiotic formula
PRECONCEPTION
Package 5 “Digest”
Digestion is a vital component to gut health. Chewing food well and having sufficient gastric secretions and at the correct acidic pH is important to stimulate the release of bicarbonate and digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Undigested foods can create food allergens as they are attacked by the immune system and remain undigested in the bowel. Undigested food will ferment and putrefy in the bowel creating additional harmful toxins, likely inflammation and dysbiosis. It is important that foods are completely digested to maximize nutrient availability and absorption. Enzymes are vital for digestion and low stomach acid and poor pancreatic function may reduce enzyme activity leading to insufficient digestion.
TAKE FROM WEEK 1 THROUGH WEEK 9
Klaire Labs Serenaid
It is vitally important to look after the health and function of the gut to provide good health and functionality.
*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.