b'THE GUT-BRAIN AXIS People with autism also have higher than usual levels of LPScolon bacteria travel to the small intestine and take hold, or (lipopolysaccharides, also known as endotoxin) in their blood.when the bacteria naturally found in the small intestine increase LPS is released from the outer cell walls of gram-negativetoo much. SIBO symptoms include bloating and flatulence, in Health and Disease bacteria when they are destroyed. LPS leads to inflammation thatdiarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, and fatigue.carries over from the digestive tract to the bloodstream. SIBO can be a complication of conditions such as diabetes, IBS, The presence of antibodies against LPS in the blood indicatesand concussion, but it can also occur as a result of antibiotic use, that the endotoxin has infiltrated the systemic circulation throughproton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, low stomach acid, decreased the intestinal wallthe well-known leaky gut syndrome. LPSbile acids, and alcohol use. A low-fiber diet such as SAD slows elicits a strong immune response that may be closely related tomovement in the small intestine and can lead to SIBO. Just autism symptoms. getting older and being female are risk factors. Similarly, elevated LPS from intestinal permeability is noted inThe excess bacteria in the small intestine can gobble up brain disorders such as Alzheimers disease, cognitive decline,nutrients before they can be absorbed. In addition, CDTs from dementia, and mood disorders.the harmful bacteria damage the epithelial layer, causing leaky gut from damaged tight junctions, damage to the blood-brain Damaged Gut Bacteria barrier (BBB), and systemic inflammation.When the gut bacteria are damaged or out of balance, the health consequences can be severe. What causes the damage?Restoring the BalanceThe chief culprit is the Standard American Diet (SAD), whichThe gut-brain axis can be knocked out of alignment, but its also loads the gut with highly processed foods that are high inrobust. With careful attention, the balance can be restored using chemical additives, sugar, and bad fats and are low in fiber.the Super 7(R) Action Plan.Exposure to the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup), foundReset. The first action step is to reset the diet, lifestyle, and throughout the modern food system, is another significantmindset of patients. The key dietary component is an anti-inflam-cause of damagethis chemical kills beneficial gut bacteriamatory diet, one that is free of GPS: gluten, processed foods, and damages the microvilli. Glyphosate may also break downand sugar. The ketogenic diet is ideal for this, because it resets the blood-brain barrier and allow LPS and other toxins to enterthe diet by removing carbohydrates and fueling the brain with the brain. Other common culprits include antibiotics and otherketone bodies instead of glucose. The ketone bodies are key to medications, alcohol, toxic environmental chemicals such asmanufacturing BDNF and helping to reset brain function. The glyphosate pesticides, and that all-purpose gut destroyer, stress.keto diet may not be appropriate or accessible for all patients, Even healthy foods can be to blame if they contain gluten orhowever. A reasonable alternative is a modified Mediterranean lactose or are high in lectins (an indigestible protein found indiet that is free of GPS and DNA (dairy, nicotine, and artificial beans and nightshade plants such as peppers).sweeteners).The damage is chiefly caused by lipopolysacchrides (LPS)In addition to the basic diet, adding 8 to 10 grams (two cytolethal distending toxins (CDT). Some harmful gram-negativeteaspoons) of MCT oil from coconut oil is very helpful. MCT oil gut bacteria, such as E. coli and Shigella species, produce thesehas been shown to have antimicrobial and antifungal effects that toxins. Poor diet and all the other gut stressors allow thesecan help restore a better balance of beneficial gut bacteria while bacteria to crowd out more beneficial gram-positive bacteria,also providing the nutrients needed to make butyrate in the leading to chronic gut dysbiosis. LPS CDT toxins can penetratecolon. 1the intestinal barrier, enter the bloodstream, and stimulate the IgG, IgA, and IgM immune responses.Stress reduction techniques, such as meditation, mindfulness, What all this come down to is: Gut on fire, brain on fire. The loopand yoga are helpful and easily learned. What works best is is initiated by intestinal inflammation. That leads to the produc- highly individual, however, and anything that relieves stress safely tion of inflammatory cytokines that cross the blood-brain barrieris helpful.and activate brain microglia (the brains immune system), causingRegular exercise is equally important (and also helpful for inflammatory degeneration. At the same time, macrophages inreducing stress). Patients who are inactive should be strongly the intestines are also activated, leading to degeneration in theencouraged to increase their activity level, aiming for 10,000 enteric nervous system. The result? An ongoing cycle of inflam- steps a day. For patients who are already moderately active, matory neurodegeneration throughout the brain-gut axis. Theencourage increasing the activity level to 15,000 steps a day. In early symptoms are subtle. Theres no pain because the brainaddition, daily resistance training and flexibility exercises should has no pain receptors and the inner lining of the gastrointestinalbe encouraged. mucosa contains no pain fibers. The symptoms are bloating,Remove. Remove foods that are damaging the gut. In addition followed immediately by brain fog.to removing foods related to individual intolerances and SIBO: Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth allergies, processed foods, sugar, dairy, and gluten should be removed to allow the gut to heal and inflammation to subside. The small intestine is a harsh environment for bacteria. SomeAt the same time, remove unwanted pathogens to restore do thrive there, but the bulk of the gut bacteria are found in the colon. 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