The condition of “our gut” has an overpowering influence on our health and well-being.  A healthy “gut” enables us to enjoy neurological, psychological and immunological health and well being. How does this work you may ask? Simple “it contains a complex circuitry that enables it to act independently, learn, remember and, as the saying goes, produce gut feelings.” (Rubin, 2007) This is how it all starts.

The brain and the gut during embryogenesis started off from the identical mass of tissue that divides during fetal development. One section becomes the Central Nervous System and the travels down and become what’s called the Enteric Nervous System. This is eventually connected by the longest cranial nerve called the vagus nerve. “The vagus nerve meanders from the brain stem through the neck and finally ends up in the abdomen.” So hence, the Brain /Gut connection begins. These two guys are connected!! When one gets upset, so does the other. Have you ever wondered why people say “trust you gut instinct? About half of all our nerve cells are located in our gut!
(Rubin, 2007)

In 1899, physicians discovered that the gut “has a mind of its own” through studies with dogs; they discovered that reflexes continued as material (food) was being pushed through the digestive system; despite having the nerves linking the brain to the intestines severed. (Rubin, 2007)

Our gut of course doesn’t think or feel like the “main brain” it performs a totally different role. "The brain in the head deals with the finer things in life: religion, philosophy, appreciation of art and music, creativity, etc.," says Dr. Gershon. (Dr. Michael Gershon, the author of "The Second Brain") "Whereas the brain in the gut deals with this dirty, messy, disgusting business of digestion. (Ouimet, 2002)  Gershon coined the phrase, "second brain" in 1996. (Brown, 2005)  

The nerves in our gut autonomously regulate their own function, they do so in a dialogue with the nerves in our head; “It’s a nerve-to-nerve discussion.” Whaddup YO!! I’m hungry!!!
The connection between our brains lies at the center of many afflictions both physical and psychiatric. Anxiety, depression, IBS, ulcers and Parkinson’s disease exhibit symptoms at the brain/gut level. The majority of these patients, more often than not have disturbances in their G.I. Function as well. (Brown, 2005)

Our gut keep an eye on pressure and monitors digestion. It identifies nutrients, measures acid and salts. It’s a mini chemical lab."  With little help from that Central Nervous System, it a contained; G.S.T; (“Gut Swat Team”) (taken from NinjaBill with a little twist. The ENS also plays a role in neurotransmitters like serotonin. In the early ’80s, scientists had recognized “the idea of the enteric nervous system and the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the gut”; therefore it is not a surprise that there is a direct relationship between stress and physical distress. (Brown, 2005)
Serotonin plays an important role to our feeling of well-being. Ninety-five percent of serotonin resides in our gut, (Doe, 2000) and acts as a “middle man/woman” that keeps our brain in the “head” updated through this one way communication, as to what’s “going on” in brain in the gut. Ninety percent of the information travels via -> gut-to brain information highway. (Brown, 2005)
For Example:
“Chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin, sometimes used to treat cancer, cause serotonin to be released in the gut, leading to nausea and vomiting.” (Brown, 2005)
“Serotonin is also implicated in one of the most debilitating gut disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, which causes abdominal pain and cramping, bloating and, in some patients, alternating diarrhea and constipation.” (Brown, 2005)
I just thought that was pretty much interesting and I can go on and on, however I won’t. One of my brains is growling right now – and it’s not the one I’m sitting on, Oh did I tell ya!!!There’s a third brain; my ex husband had one; ROFLMAO; Sorry I couldn’t help it.  <Tee Hee>

                                                             Works Cited

Brown, Harriet. "A Brain in the Head, and One in the Gut." Editorial. International
Herald Tribune 25 Aug. 2005, Health and Science ed.  
Doe-Young Kim M.D, Michael Camilleri M.D (2000)
Serotonin: a mediator of the brain-gut connection
The American Journal of Gastroenterology 95 (10), 2698–2709.

Ouimet, Chantal. "The Gut Has a Mind of Its Own." Editorial. The Globe and Mail 31 Dec. 2002.

Rubin, NMD, CNC, Jordon S., and Angel. "The Brain-Gut Connection." Patient Heal Thyself os. 08 Aug. 2007 <http://altmedangel.com/gutbrain.htm>.

GOT WATER?

Not that I am the expert on the consumption of and its importance- I can say this; being an RN for about 21 years of so, most if which has been in the Adult Emergency Room setting,  I can say this, water is IMPORTANT!  Even more so during the “dog days of summer” , the hot, humid, heat filled days we have been having, here in New York  has been debilitating to say the least, for the elderly population, especially and those with pre existing  medical conditions.

Many individuals have come into the emergency room either dehydrated or heat exhausted. Typically infants, small children and the elderly, dehydrate more rapidly than most anyone else and it can result from not drinking enough fluids, vomiting and diarrhea and/or a combination of all three. Infants and small children are more likely to dehydrate faster than, healthy (healthy, meaning no pre existing medical conditions etc.)  then older children and adults because they lose fluid more quickly; their body mass is of course, smaller than an adult. (EMedicineHealth, 2007) I remember when I was in nursing school and Flo and I were talking (just kidding), my professor told us that an infant/small child could very well dehydrate in about 12-18 hours- if they are not replacing the fluid lost. I know that this is correct, as I have first hand experience when my daughter was three years old, and that was scary.

Our bodies are comprised of about 60 % water, which is located inside our lean muscle. Water is required by the body for regulation of certain processes and chemical reactions in our cells. It transports protein, amino acids essential vitamins and minerals. It supports the digestion of nutrients and encourages the repair of old tissues, (I drink lots of water, I am ……and OLD tissue).  It also flushes the body of toxic waste (“pay attention to this NinjaBill, LOL”) and maintains constant body temperature as well as providing a cushion to our joints, to name a few. (Keith & Wade, 1997)
As athletes we are constantly aware of what goes in our bodies – we calculate what our protein, fat and carbohydrate should be – but sometimes we forget the importance of water intake. Water is another nutrient. (Keith & Wade, 1997)
We often “underplay the importance of water to good nutrition.” Through normal body functions such as respiration, perspiration and urination we may lose up to about a half a gallon of water daily.  During prolonged strenuous physical activity; we may lose even more water which can result in dehydration and other heat related issues. (Keith & Wade, 1997)
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of dehydration:
Mild to excessive thirst and dry mouth
Headache
Dizziness, feeling lightheaded
Fatigue and/or muscle weakness
Little or no urination

In conclusion, just throughout the day, take a moment and see if you have had your water intake for the day. Try and stay away from concentrated drinks, which give you that “full” feeling, lastly, avoid caffeine and alcohol as they have a diuretic effect. (Keith & Wade, 1997)

Works Cited
"Dehydration in Children." E Medicine Health. 12 July 2007. 06 Aug. 2007 <http://www.emedicinehealth.com/dehydration_in_children/article_em.htm#Dehydration%20in%20Children%2
0Overview>.  

Keith, Dr. Robert E.. And Wade, Leslie., Alabama. Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University. Department of Agriculture. Sports Nutrition for Young Adults: Hydration. May 1997. 6 Aug. 2007 <http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0749/>.