Gut health is a broader term that is limited not only to the digestion and elimination function of the gut but also involves the interaction between various system in the body like Gut Microbiome, brain, immune system, endocrine system etc.

Few components of interaction of gut with other organs are discussed below:

Gut – brain axis

The Gut brain axis is a bidirectional communication network that links Central and Enteric (gut) nervous system. It also involves Endocrine, Humoral, Metabolic and Immune routes of communication. The Gut and brain are connected by autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic), HPA (hypothalamo- pituitary adrenal) axis and the nerves within the Gastro-intestinal tract, that has influence on intestinal activities, immune cells and in turn gut influences the mood, cognition and mental health(Appleton, 2018).

Neuropods

The gut sensory epithelial cells that form synapses are known as Neuropod cells. These cells transduce sensory signals from intestinal milieu (gut microbiota) to the brain through fast neurotransmission onto neurons including that of vagus nerve (Liddle, 2019)

Gut- lung axis

Recent studies have shown that lungs too are inhabited by microbiota, contradictory to the earlier discovery that lung is a sterile organ. Studies show that the inter kingdom cross talks between this microbiota has impact on the homeostasis in the host and immune responses ( (Enaud, 2020)

Gut microbiota

Gut microbiota consists of normal flora of microbes that has symbiotic (mutual benefit) relationship with the body. It protects the body from pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses. These friendly microbes’ aids in digestion and synthesis of short chain fatty acids, Vitamin B12, neurotransmitters. The short chain fatty acids protect the integrity of intestinal epithelium, reduces inflammation, regulates immunity and even prevents colon cancer.

Yogic perspective of Gut health

Yoga Vasishta text says Aadhi (stress) is the root cause for psychosomatic diseases wherein it will lead to gut issues like indigestion, under digestion, over digestion. These leading to physical health issues known as Vyadhi. This text quotes that lifestyle changes are the remedy for the diseases caused by Aadhi.

PDF) PSYCHOSOMATIC MECHANISMS OF YOGA

Naturopathic perspective of gut health

According to Naturopathy, accumulation of morbid matter is the root cause for all disease. Morbid matter is unassimilated, undigested, uneliminated food in the body that gets accumulated. This results in inflammation and various diseases. Hence, Naturopathy propagates that it is important to look after gut health and detoxifying the body regularly through fasting, eliminatory diet and enema during severe constipation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective of gut health

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) understands the GUT is responsible for extraction of Energy (Qi) from the foods we ingest, for all the physiological functions of the body & mind to be in a state of homeostasis.

When the GUT is in a state of imbalance that shall lead to lack of nourishment to our body & mind and shall lead to deficiency of Qi leading to various ailments which in turn impacts all our physiological functions of all the organs.

TCM diagnosis through Pulse, Tongue, Observation, Palpation shall help to identify the imbalance in the GUT and advocate appropriate treatment through its therapeutic tools of Acupuncture, Reflexology, Moxibustion, TCM Nutrition, Herbal medicine, Tui-Na, Cupping, Chinese Massage (Meridian based), Qigong and others.

The above-mentioned therapeutic tools shall help to bring about a state of Homeostasis in the GUT to function effectively which is the base for overall balance of our body and Mind.

What does Research say?

Few research papers regarding how Yoga, Naturopathy and Acupuncture help in maintaining the Gut health are quoted below –

A review paper on Cyclic Meditation and Gut – Brain Axis states that Cyclic Meditation improves the gut brain axis communication by modulating the gut microbiota through Central and Autonomic Nervous system pathways (Ningthoujam, 2024).
A systematic review on Intermittent fasting and gut microbiome found that Intermittent fasting improves richness and alpha diversity of gut microbiome (Paukkonen, The impact of intermittent fasting on gut microbiota: a systematic review on human studies, 2024)
A randomized control trial on acupuncture on gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids in patients with functional constipation showed that acupuncture improved beta diversity and restored composition of gut microbiota along with spontaneous bowel movements, stool consistency and quality of life (Yan, 2023)

Conclusion

As the saying goes, “A healthy gut leads to healthy mind”, it is very important to take care of the gut health as it affects our mood, mental health and various functions of the body. Healthy eating and lifestyle are the need of the hour in today’s generation.

References

Appleton, J. (2018). The Gut - Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental health. Integrative Medicine: A Clincian's Journal.
Enaud, R. (2020). The Gut-Lung Axis in health and respiratory diseases: A place for inter organ and inter kingdom crosstalks. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology.
Liddle, R. A. (2019). Neuropods. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol.
Ningthoujam, D. S. (2024). Possible Roles of Cyclic Meditation in Regulation of the Gut-Brain Axis. Frontiers in Psychology.
Paukkonen, I. (2024). The impact of intermittent fasting on gut microbiota: a systematic review on human studies. Frontiers in Nutrition.
Paukkonen, I. (n.d.). The impact of intermittent fasting on gut microbiota: a systematic review of human studies.
Yan, X.-Y. (2023). Effects of acupuncture on gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in patients with functional constipation: a randomised placebo- controlled trial. Frontiers in Pharmacology.

Dr Gurudatta H K, BNYS, FCRSW, Founder, Anandamaya Wellness Center

Dr Aishwarya P, (BNYS), Intern, S-VYASA University