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In today's solo episode, I talk about theimpactof stress on our gut. Among other things, it's about the following points:
- How the gut reacts to stress
- What symptoms can result from this stress
- How are the gut and brain connected
- What diseases can be caused by a stressed gut
In the next episode, I will also be talking about stress with biologist Dr. Sabine Paul on the subject of "aromatherapy", where we go into more detail about essential oils and spices, and she also shares some great practical tips on how we can reduce stress.
Autumn is stress time
Today I would like to talk about the connection between the gut and stress from my point of view and why this topic is so incredibly important right now.
Autumn in particular is a very stressful time for many people, as there are lots of events coming up and lots of things to do to prepare for the run-up to Christmas.
Cell biologist Bruce Lipton says that 95% of all illnesses are caused by stress!
I've also noticed from my customers on the Gut Happiness online course that stress is an issue that concerns many people and stops them from doing things that are actually good for them or that they are afraid to tackle. That's why I brought the two experts on board to share valuable content.
Stress has a direct impact on our digestion, on our gut. You may know it yourself, when you are excited or nervous, diarrhea occurs. This has to do with the fact that stress can increase movements in the intestines.
"Almost all diseases have an inflammatory basis"
Stress also has an influence on the production of various digestive fluids, which can consequently lead to acid regurgitation (also known as reflux) and it increases the permeability of the intestinal mucosa. There is a risk that food components that are not beneficial will enter the bloodstream. This in turn causes the immune system to sound the alarm and inflammation can develop.
Almost all diseases have an inflammatory basis, so stress has a direct influence on our well-being and all modern-day diseases.
Stress has a direct influence on our intestinal environment and brain
Stress also disrupts the barrier function of the intestine and has an influence on the composition of our intestinal flora. It has been found that bifidobacteria and lactobacilli decrease under stress and the undesirable bacteria such as clostridia increase. Stress therefore has a direct impact on our intestinal environment, making it much easier for illnesses to develop.
It used to be assumed that the brain influences the gut, but interestingly, the main signaling axis is from the gut to the brain, so the signals sent from the gut to the brain are 90% and those from the brain to the gut are only 10%. This means that stress upsets the gut and therefore also has an impact on our brain. As a result, brain performance decreases and symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, mood swings and panic attacks can occur.
Other illnesses caused by stress...
Stress also increases the sensation of pain, which can lead to abdominal pain and/or discomfort. The following diseases can develop as a result of stress having a negative effect on the intestines: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, reflux (acid reflux), irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerances - which produce diffuse symptoms such as: Headaches, bad mood, irritability.
As an example of food intolerance in relation to stress, I would like to share my own experience with you. We carried out a food intolerance test on my husband during a very stressful phase. In this test, he reacted to all foods where stress was clearly the trigger, because after a repetition after a month, only individual intolerances were still recognizable.
Stress can also trigger a small intestinal overgrowth, the symptoms of which are bloating and constipation: Flatulence and constipation. The intestinal transit is slowed down by the food and bacteria can therefore enter the small intestine.
Finally, I would like to mention that stress can also cause major problems such as acne or rosacea. It is said that the skin is the mirror image of the gut. This stress, which weakens the gut, can therefore cause skin problems.
Now I recommend that you subscribe to the podcast so that you don't miss an episode, and if you like what you hear, I would really appreciate a review on iTunes or Apple Podcast. Because these reviews also help other people find the podcast so we can spread the knowledge about gut and health more.
