ZOE Science & Nutrition Simple ways to improve gut health | Dr. Karan Rajan
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Sep 26, 2024 
Dr. Karan Rajan is an NHS surgeon and health communicator known for debunking medical myths. He dives into the intriguing concept of the gut as the body's 'second brain' and explores its significant role in mental health and cravings. Karan discusses common lifestyle factors that harm gut health, the rise in inflammatory bowel diseases, and the critical impact of antibiotics on gut microbiomes. He emphasizes the need for diverse plant-based diets and unveils why understanding IBS is a complex challenge for both patients and doctors.
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Digestion's True Starting Point
- The gut is not just the stomach; it's a system from mouth to bum.
- Digestion starts in the brain, triggered by thoughts about food.
The Gut-Brain Connection
- The gut has its own nervous system (enteric) linked to the brain via the vagus nerve.
- This two-way communication explains how emotions affect digestion, as shown by studies of a patient with a gastric fistula.
Jonathan's Microbiome Wipeout
- Jonathan Wolfe severely damaged his toe and needed antibiotics after surgery.
- His good gut microbes were decimated and took over 18 months to partially recover, highlighting the long-term impact.
