he link between daily stress and digestive health has been overlooked for centuries, but if it is addressed correctly, as it is shown in the scientific literature, it will benefit patient greatly.
The digestive system is regulated by ANS-Autonomic Nervous System. This system is subdivided into three parts. The enteric branch manages every aspect of digestion. It is often referred as “second brain” or “gut brain”. The enteric part produces neurotransmitters that effect mood and cognition, as well as digestive function.
The other two branches of the ANS are much better known. They are: sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic branch mobilizes the body for the fight and flight response. This system generally inhibits digestion. During the overactive sympathetic response, blood and energy are directed to the heart, lungs, and muscles for the good reason.
The parasympathetic branch of ANS is responsible for the repair, restoration, relaxation and body maintenance.
The parasympathetic branch supports the digestive system by stimulating the secretion of saliva and digestive enzymes so food travels through digestive system properly. It also regulates smooth muscle contraction in the intestines, it opens and closes sphincters throughout digestive system.
When the parasympathetic system is working well, beneficial bacteria grow and gut flora is in balance.
ANS has served to humans well for millions of years. But for the last few hundred years, stressors have changed while the nervous system has not.
During the overactive sympathetic system period, a lot of cortisol is produced with the goal to elevate blood sugar levels and blood pressure, give more energy and nutrition to the muscles. Under physical stress cortisol dissipated quickly by activity. Once the stress is over, the parasympathetic system start repairs.
Today’s stress rarely requires a physical response and surrounds us from morning to the evening. The fight and flight response is constantly activated at a low level. The brain is stimulated to increase cortisol production over long period of time without any physical activity to dissipate the cortisol. Excess of cortisol suppress the parasympathetic activity and digestion suffers. Activity of digestive enzymes decreased, smooth muscle activity is altered, all this can produce bloating, intestinal cramps, indigestion. Alcohol, caffeine, sugar-all effect the enteric nervous system by changing neurotransmitters production, so mood and cognition suffer.
What can be done? First of all, stress reduction should be incorporated in everyday life. It may be yoga, meditation, walking, tie-chi, qi-gong. Whatever will fit you and your schedule, will work.
Enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics ( which are food for the probiotics), whole food sources of vitamins A, C, B, E, manganese, zinc are all important part of digestive system support against chronic stress response. In my practice I use a lot of Standard Process and MediHerb whole food supplements. They do wonders, patients love them.
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