Digestion Week 3

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards about the relationships between digestion and other systems of the body, including the immune system, endocrine and reproductive systems, the nervous system, and cardiovascular health.

Many highly processed foods are high in sugar, chemical additives, colorings, & preservatives that can __.

Alter the health of the gut microbiome

Whole-food diets rich in plant foods provide the __ required to feed and maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

Dietary fiber

Eating plant foods encompassing all colors of the rainbow will mean that an individual is taking in a higher __ content.

Polyphenol

We’ve already discussed the basics of the gut/brain axis, which is the interplay between the central nervous system and enteric nervous system located in the digestive tract, which is mediated in large part by the __.

Vagus nerve

When we are experiencing a heightened state of __ tone, many parts of the digestive system are inhibited and disrupted.

Sympathetic

There is also an association between sleep disruption and __.

Constipation

Lack of sleep alters key hormones that regulate appetite, and increases __, our hunger hormone produced in the stomach.

Ghrelin

Lack of sleep decreases __, which is made by our fat cells to tell our brain that we have sufficient fuel stores and can stop eating.

Leptin

Diminished reserves of __, which is our major sleep hormone, may be related to GERD and IBD.

Melatonin

In severe cases, high blood sugar levels can damage the __, which can create all sorts of dysfunction in the gastrointestinal tract, including slowed or delayed gastric emptying.

Vagus nerve

__ works by decreasing the production of new glucose in the liver, decreasing intestinal absorption of glucose, increasing insulin sensitivity, and increasing the expression of glucose transport proteins.

Metformin

A client with a chronic inflammatory condition will likely be much better served by improving microbiome and digestive function rather than reaching for the nearest supplement that says __ support.

Autoimmunity

The epithelial of the stomach also secrete antimicrobial enzymes known as __.

Lysozymes

__ provide the building blocks and fuel for the immune system, and micronutrients act as critical cofactors in both the production and function of immune cells.

Macronutrients

Specifically, __, folate, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium are key for immune function.

Vitamin A, D, C, E, B6, and B1

Specific amino acids such as __ play important roles in the immune system.

Arginine and glutamine

Perhaps the most direct connection between the digestive and immune systems is the __ or Gut-associated Lymphoid Tissue.

GALT

Certain probiotic strains have also been found to increase the production of __, which are known to play a protective role against the development of autoimmunity.

T regulatory cells

The __ is a concept used to describe the three main factors involved in the development of autoimmune diseases: genetic predisposition, environmental triggers and intestinal hyperpermeability.

Three-legged stool of autoimmunity

Two types of T cells are of particular interest in autoimmunity: __.

T regulatory cells and T17 helper cells

You’ll recall that the endocrine system is all about __ and communication between cells.

Hormones

The digestive system itself is full of endocrine cells that produce hormones called the __.

Enteric endocrine system

__ are synthesized from cholesterol.

Steroid hormones

__ are paracrine hormones made from polyunsaturated fatty acids that are involved in both inflammation and resolution of inflammation at the tissue level.

Eicosanoids

__ hormones require iodine, selenium, zinc, and the amino acid tyrosine.

Thyroid

The liver produces __ enzymes, which release an atom of iodine from the less active thyroid hormone (T4), thereby converting it into its most active form (T3).

Deiodinase

__ can cause rapid bowel movements which may lead to impaired nutrient absorption.

Hyperthyroidism

There is also a well-known connection between __ and chronic constipation.

Hypothyroidism

The health of mitochondria and energy production can be especially relevant in the ovaries and testes, where the production of __ (sperm in males and eggs in females) represents another unique energy demand.

Gametes

The gut microbiota influences estrogen levels through an interplay known as the __.

Estrobolome

Certain bacteria produce an enzyme called __ that breaks the bond between glucuronic acid and estrogen, reverting the estrogen back into its unconjugated active form.

Beta-glucuronidase

Without enough blood being pumped to the stomach, an individual may experience conditions such as __ or acute intestinal ischemia, which include symptoms of dyspepsia and abdominal discomfort after meals.

Intestinal angina

Current research is showing that the gut microbiome and intestinal permeability also play significant roles in the development of __ (the buildup of plaque in the arteries), heart attack, stroke, hypertension, arrhythmias, and more.

Atherosclerosis

__ are produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder until needed to help emulsify fats in the small intestine.

Bile acids

Once in the lumen of the intestines, bile acids can be modified by certain gut bacteria through a process called deconjugation, which results in the production of __.

Secondary bile acids

Dsybiotic/abnormal microbial bile salt metabolism have been associated with several gastrointestinal, metabolic and inflammatory disorders, __, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Dyslipidemia

Some studies have found that high levels of __, a secondary bile acid produced by some gut bacteria, are associated with increased serum cholesterol levels and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Lithocholic acid

Studies have also found that high levels of another secondary bile acid, __, can slow the rate at which the liver removes cholesterol from the blood and alter macrophage activity in the endothelial lining of vascular tissues.

Deoxycholic acid

__ is a compound found in the outer wall of Gram-negative bacteria, and it induces a strong inflammatory response in the body.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)

LPS can also promote the formation of __, which are a key component of atherosclerotic plaque.

Foam cells

__ can enter the bloodstream, activate the immune system, cause endothelial dysfunction, and promote the development of atherosclerosis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis

The __ is so rich in nervous tissue, it is often referred to as the 'second brain' or 'gut brain.'

Enteric nervous system

Mounting research tells us that __ rich in ultra-processed foods, are linked to mood disorders, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, schizophrenia, and altered blood-brain barrier function.

Westernized diets

Neurotransmitters that have been identified as being produced by the intestinal microbiome include __.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, noradrenaline

__ are the main metabolites produced in the large intestine by the fermentation of dietary fiber and resistant starch in our diet.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)

The most notable of the neurotrophic factors is __.

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

We also have a barrier that separates the brain from the rest of the body known as the __.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB)

The term __ has emerged to describe this phenomenon, akin to 'leaky gut.'

Leaky brain

__ can be acute (resulting from a single incident), chronic (repeated or prolonged experiences), or complex (involving exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events).

Trauma