The brain and intestines are inextricably linked. Who would have thought

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Scientists have finally discovered a direct link between the brain and the immune system through lymphatic vessels, the existence of which was not previously known.

The new discovery by a group of researchers from the University of Virginia (UVA) “may require a reevaluation of the basic pillars of neuroimmunology” (the field of study of the nervous and immune systems).

Direct link has been found between the brain and the immune system via the lymphatic vessels, the existence of which was not previously known. Like blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body, lymphatic vessels do the same to immune cells.

However, for a long time it was believed that such vessels are not located in the brain. New research finding lymphatic vessels under the skull of a mouse could open up avenues for understanding autism, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and many other diseases.

It becomes more and more obvious that the brain, immune system, and gut microbes are closely related. Autism, for example, is associated with gastrointestinal illness and potentially an overreaction in the immune system.

It was not always clear how such connections occur, but now a gut-brain axis and a pathway from the immune system to the brain have been discovered.

"They'll have to change their textbooks."

It was the reaction of Kevin Lee, Ph. D., chairman of the UVA Department of Neuroscience, when he heard about the find. Lymphatic vessels were found in the meninges, the protective membranes that cover the brain, and they were found to be closely associated with blood vessels.

Study lead author Jonathan Kipnis, professor in the UVA Department of Neuroscience and director of the UVA Center for Brain Immunology, highlighted the importance of the discovery:

It makes sense. After all, why on earth would your brain not have a direct channel to the immune system? And all this time we were given hints. The brain was once thought to be outside of normal immune "surveillance", which was considered necessary because edema (a normal immune response) inside the brain can be fatal.

However, it would be too easy to think of the brain as "immune privileged". According to io9:

The newly discovered lymphatic vessels in the brain do suggest that there is a close and significant link between the brain and the immune system, the study of which is still in its infancy.

Gut microbes also affect the brain

The immune system is not alone in having a direct line with the brain. The gut, which is full of microbes, also communicates with the brain through what is called the gut-brain axis.

In fact, in addition to the brain, there is the enteric (intestinal) nervous system (ENS), which is located in the walls of the intestine and works both independently and in conjunction with it.

This communication between your "two brains" works in both directions, and it is because of this that food can affect your mood or because of anxiety it can hurt your stomach. However, the gut-brain connection is much more than "comfort food" or butterflies in the stomach.

According to Scientific American:

It also explains why changes in bacteria in the gut are associated with brain disease and more, including depression. Jane Foster, Ph. D., associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at McMaster University, described several ways gut microbes communicate with the brain in Medicine Net:

Changing gut bacteria can affect your mood

The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Gastroenterology, involved 36 women aged 18 to 55, who were divided into three groups:

• The treatment group ate yogurt, which contains several probiotics believed to have beneficial effects on gut health, twice a day for one month
• Another group ate a "dummy" product that looked and tasted like yogurt, but did not contain probiotics.
• The control group did not eat any yoghurt

Before and after the four-week study, participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging both at rest and in the "emotion recognition challenge" field.

To do this, the women were shown a series of photographs of people with angry or frightened facial expressions, which they had to compare with other faces showing the same emotions.

They also report that microbes associated with fermentation (such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) may also affect brain health in both direct and indirect ways, opening the door to new scientific research in "nutritional psychiatry."

The development of healthy intestinal microflora begins at birth. Childbirth and breastfeeding form the basis of what organisms will inhabit your baby's body. Therefore, if you are a mother-to-be, optimize your own microflora, as you will pass it on to your child.

The good news is that fermented vegetables are easy to make yourself. They are also the most economical way to add quality probiotics to your diet. Your goal is to consume a quarter to half cup of fermented vegetables with each meal, but you can gradually achieve this amount. Start with two teaspoons, several times a day, and build up depending on your tolerance.

If that's too much (your body may be heavily compromised), you might even start drinking a teaspoon of fermented vegetable pickle, which is rich in the same beneficial microbes. You may also consider taking a high potential probiotic supplement, but you need to understand that there is no substitute for real food.