The Connection Between the Brain and the Gut
The Second Brain
Neurological and brain-based disorders such as depression or autism may very well have their true root origins in the gut. Science now knows that there are more neuronal cells in the GI tract than in the human brain, making the gut a kind of 'second brain.' These second brain neurons are tightly wired to the first brain. All neuronal cells 'talk' to one another through the production of chemical messages called neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. A big discovery recently was that the microorganisms in our gut also make these neurotransmitters. During times of stress, our gut bacteria may be talking to our 'first brains' through the neurons located in lining of our GI tract.
The Human Microbiome
The human microbiome functions in regulating and maintaining health, control of unwanted pathogens in the gut, regulation of inflammation and immunity, synthesis of vitamin K and biotin, enhanced mineral bioavailability, synthesis of many neurotransmitters, liver health and detoxification pathways, regulation of hormonal metabolism, blood sugar and appetite regulation (weight control). Antibiotics are used to kill disease causing bacteria, but inevitably they disrupt the healthy microbiome. Probiotics are found in fermented products and in food supplements that add to and promote healthy bacteria in the gut.
Probiotics and Immune Function
Typical symptoms that can be improved by the regular consumption of probiotics include constipation, diarrhoea, vaginitis, bloating, flatulence, lactose intolerance, indigestion, food allergies and 'brain fog'. Because the gut is considered to be the largest organ of the immune system, it is not surprising that probiotics are associated with better immune function. How do bacteria in the gut help our immunity? Via the mighty Macrophage. These cells act like a 'Pacman' to not only gobble up invading viruses and bacteria, they generally direct the other elements and cell types in a synchronized immune defense.
GcMAF: The Macrophage Activator
There are two branches of the immune system in which the macrophage functions: the innate (non-specific immune defense) and the adaptive (specific immune defense mechanisms). Macrophages are themselves signal-directed. The signal that activates macrophages (and subsequently the whole immune response) is a glycoprotein called 'Gc protein-derived Macrophage Activating Factor.' The abbreviation for this long name is GcMAF. The important precursor to GcMAF is 'Gc', a big protein with 458 amino acids containing three domains. The first domain of Gc binds vitamin D.
Nagalase: The Immune Disruptor
Why doesn't our innate GcMAF do a better job of protecting us? Why are there so many immunological disorders? There are many conditions with significant immune dysfunction: AIDS, Cancer, Autism, Crohn's, Colitis, Psoriasis, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Candidiasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, MS, Lupus, Severe IBS, Parkinson's and Alzheimers. It turns out that there is a nasty enzyme at work that actually inactivates the Gc before it can be activated to GcMAF. This enzyme's technical name is alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase — abridged to NAGALASE. High Nagalase levels have been shown to correlate with Autism, Aids, cancer and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Bravo Probiotic: The Solution
The same enzymes used by the immune system to transform Gc into GcMAF in our bodies also are produced by certain bacteria during the fermentation of milk. This thinking led to an intriguing question: would it be possible to create a 'super probiotic food' made from a natural sequence of milk fermentation processes to take optimal advantage of nature's method of making GcMAF? This has been the working hypothesis of Drs. Marco Ruggiero and Stefania Pacini, Italian Doctors, who for the last three years have been diligently attempting to 'crack the code' so as to harvest this potential bounty of enhanced natural immune function. Unlike other commercial fermented yogurt products that contain two to six microbial strains, Bravo Probiotic Yoghurt contains 42 bacterial and yeast strains including important infant and commensal strains.
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