Gut health and brain health: why the link matters
Quick answer
Gut health appears to matter for brain health. CogMission’s clinicians report that many patients with no gut symptoms still showed gut inflammation or increased permeability on testing, and studies link increased gut permeability to Alzheimer’s disease. Gut-brain signalling is increasingly recognised as something that can affect the nervous system, so we see gut health as a key focus.
When we first began working with the Bredesen protocol, we were very conservative in our testing.
We based most of our testing on the patient’s signs and symptoms. For a long time we ignored gut testing in patients who did not show any obvious gut symptoms. Now, with more experience and a greater understanding of how gut inflammation links in with cognitive decline, we have come to recognise the critical role gut health plays in getting lasting improvements. We’ve run over 100 gut tests this year alone and the biggest revelation for us have been that many of our patients who are asymptomatic (in terms of gut symptoms) have shown to have inflammation and/or permeability issues.
There are very good studies out there linking in increase in gut permeability to Alzheimer’s disease
This takes me back to my training in Traditional Chinese Medicine where I worked in the Neurology department in a large hospital in Shanghai.
The treatments delivered in nearly all of the cases were very gut focused. I remember feeling baffled why conditions such as Parkinson’s were always classed as stemming from the gut. It wasn’t until years later that the vagus nerve theory in Parkinson’s started filtering through from research into clinical practice. We now see a stronger recognition coming through on how the gut-brain signalling can affect the neurological system.
If there’s one single thing that you can do to improve your cognitive function and health as a whole, look to healing your gut. Our brain health workshops have a strong focus on the practical things that you can do to improve gut health.
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Common questions
Can gut health affect memory and thinking?
We have a growing understanding of how gut inflammation links with cognitive decline. Good studies also connect increased gut permeability with Alzheimer’s disease. At CogMission, we now see gut health as playing a critical role in achieving lasting improvements in cognitive function.
Can you have gut inflammation without any gut symptoms?
Yes, in our experience. After running over 100 gut tests in one year, we found that many patients with no gut symptoms still had inflammation, permeability issues, or both. This is why we no longer skip gut testing in people without obvious symptoms.
What is the link between the gut and Parkinson’s disease?
One of our team trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine in the neurology department of a large hospital in Shanghai, where treatment was very gut focused and conditions such as Parkinson’s were seen as stemming from the gut. Years later, the vagus nerve theory in Parkinson’s moved from research into clinical practice, and there is now stronger recognition that gut-brain signalling can affect the nervous system.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for personal medical advice. Please speak to your GP (family doctor) or a qualified practitioner before making changes to medication or treatment.