What is Mindd?
Mindd is an acronym for Metabolic, Immunologic, Neurologic, Digestive Disorders that often affect the mind. Mindd includes many brain-immuno-gut disorders such as AD/HD, Autism, asthma, food sensitivities, allergies, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, anxiety, depression, Schizophrenia and more. Other diseases that can result from Mindd issues are cancer, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, diabetes and virtually all disease that has at its core cellular malnutrition.
What is the brain-immuno-gut connection?
Our gastro intestinal tract (“gut”) serves 2 basic functions, to absorb nutrients and to screen out toxins. If the gut is not working then cell health is compromised as too few nutrients and too many toxins enter the blood and penetrate cells.
In turn, gut permeability (“leaky gut”) and gut dysbiosis can trigger metabolic, neurologic and immunologic disorders such as allergies, attention deficit, and anxiety.
The brain and gut are also directly linked in that 70% of the neurotransmitters found in the brain are also found in the gut. So the gut can have an immediate impact on brain function.
What is “Leaky Gut”?
Leaky gut or gut permeability is a condition in which the mucosal lining (gastrointestinal epithelium) of the GI tract has holes in it (often created by candida) . Undigested molecules (such as peptides before they are broken down into amino acids) pass through the holes and into the blood, triggering allergic response to foreign molecules.
These foreign invaders can also travel to the brain and cause “brain-fog” as well as attention and behavioural issues.
Symptoms of leaky gut include; food sensitivities, fatigue, poor sleep, hyperactivity, irritability, poor concentration, memory issues, mood swings, and muscle and joint pain.
What causes leaky gut?
It is estimated that 70% of the general population has leaky gut. Triggers include a diet high in refined carbohydrates, overuse of antibiotics, junk food, food allergies, parasites, candida, bowel bacteria, heavy metals and the birth control pill. Babies naturally have leaky gut in the first year of life.
Modern diets high in refined carbohydrates and sugar contribute in large part to an overgrowth of pathogens (gut dysbiosis) and a lack of beneficial bacteria to fight off these pathogens. Traditional cultured foods like miso, yogurt, kefir and fermented grains can supply beneficial microbes.
What is gut dysbiosis?
Gut dysbiosis is an imbalance of naturally occurring microbes in the GI tract. Bacteria such as streptococcus and yeast such as candida outnumber more beneficial bacteria such as bifidus and lacto bacillus and adversely affect immunity and metabolism. This condition makes people more vulnerable to outside infections from parasites, fungus, virus and bacteria.
How do you treat leaky gut?
It is best to work with a practitioner trained in this area (see practitioners search engine). They should follow key steps to 1) eliminate irritating foods 2) eliminate pathogens 3) replenish good bacteria 4) improve diet to maximise nutrient uptake and minimise gut pathogens.
What is the connection between metabolism and neurodevelopment?
In early childhood, enzymes work to prune and wire the brain according to specific environmental demands such as walking, talking, seeing, smelling, tasting, feeling, hearing and more. If enzymes are low-functioning due to hereditary or environmental factors, then brain development can be affected.
Also, enzymes play an important role in detoxing the body of heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic). If enzymes are under-functioning, toxins can enter the brain and effect function and development.
What can be done to support neurodevelopment?
The most important step is to recognise the core deficits of the individual and then to develop a program to address these issues. An experienced practitioner can identify the need for work with retained primitive reflexes, auditory and visual processing, sensory integration and fine and gross motor coordination.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine works to correct biochemical imbalances with an emphasis on treating the individual for optimal cellular health. Blood, urine, stool and other tests hone in on specific individual deficits and a skilled practitioner prescribes therapeutic doses of minerals, vitamins, amino acids and essential fats.
In general there are 4 key components; 1)gut health 2)dietary intervention 3)nutritional medicine 4)detoxing.
Why doesn’t our GP support Functional Medicine?
This is a highly specialised and emerging field. Numerous research studies are underway in order to provide the peer-reviewed research required for GPs to adopt the Functional Medicine protocol on a broad scale.
In the meantime, hundreds of thousands of patients are following Functional Medicine practices inherent in Complementary Medicine that focus on digestive health, nutritional medicine and diet. Most patients conclude that there is virtually no risk to a change in diet and supplements and that the upside is significant.
How does Functional Medicine help with mental disorders?
Functional Medicine regards schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, AD/HD, drug addiction and more as a reflection of an imbalance in neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters in turn are made up of nutrients. So poor diet and nutrient uptake can lead to mental disorders.