Nutrient Absorption

Your gut is the gatekeeper to the rest of your body. It is responsible for absorbing nutrients from food to be used in the body. Most of this happens in the small intestine. Nutrient absorption can be hampered by bacterial overgrowth, as in the case of SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). Nutrients that can be affected include sodium chloride, peptides, amino acids, folate, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, calcium, phosphate, copper, chromium, among others.

Your Gut Makes Brain-Healthy Nutrients

A healthy gut can also naturally make a number of important nutrients that promote healthy brain function. An excellent example of this is the peptide cholecystokinin, or CCK.

CCK is a peptide released in the upper gastrointestinal tract that has receptors in both the GI tract and the brain. CCK receptors are located throughout the brain, and CCK plays a number of important roles when it comes to mood:

• It facilitates dopamine neurotransmission
• It regulates neurotransmitters, endocrine glands, and the excitability of the cortex
• It plays an important role in substance abuse — the lack of CCK(1) receptors reduces amphetamine and cocaine sensitization
• Promoting CCK receptor activity has been shown to alleviate anxiety and schizophrenia, and to release natural opioids in the brain
• CCK(1) receptors are pivotal for the relationship between the brain and the endocrine system — in the pituitary gland, CCK(1) receptors stimulate the secretion of oxytocin and vasopressin, two hormones responsible for feelings of love and social connectedness
• CCK can regulate the output of stress hormones
• CCK has been shown to regulate appetite and satiety, and can help with memory and endorphin release

How Do You Get CCK?

CCK production is stimulated by fat and protein in the diet. This is one of the many reasons that dietary fat is essential — you need it for a major part of your digestive process.

Short-Chain Fatty Acids

Your gut can also make short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs like butyrate show promise as cognitive enhancers through their beneficial activity on the gut and immune system. SCFAs are the main products from the fermentation of dietary fiber in the colon. A diet high in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and resistant starches can help increase SCFA production.