It’s no secret that intestinal health is correlated with increased energy levels, a strong immune system, maintaining a healthy weight, and so much more. But one thing researchers are starting to understand now more than ever is that our gut health has an enormous impact on happiness.
There is an intense relationship between the brain, emotions and the digestive system, so much so that many scientists refer to the intestine as the “second brain” or “intestinal brain”, since the digestive tract contains a complex neural network with more than 100 million of neurons and a nervous system of their own. The enteric nervous system, which secretes the same substances as those found in our central nervous system.
After consulting various sources and interviews with specialists we see that this is already a proven fact and they provide us with invaluable information to take care of our integral health. Confirming concepts that had been considered for a long time but could not be confirmed until now, like the vision of Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr when creating his digestion-cleaning plan elaborated around 1920 now called “The Mayr cure”.
The feeling of butterflies in the stomach when you are in a new relationship, “loss of appetite” before a stressful situation or a breakdown before an exam or a job interview … Why does our digestive system react like this to emotions?
The great discovery.
Apparently, Serotonin (the famous happiness and well-being hormone), related to well-being, behaviour, sexual activity and sleep as well as being associated with anxiety and depressive disorders; it is not only produced in the brain, but most of it, nothing more and nothing less than 90% is released in the intestine! The intestinal brain releases serotonin in response to a healthy diet and digestion.
The abdominal brain has 2 fundamental missions:
- Supervise the entire process of digestion, from peristaltic movements, the secretion of digestive juices to the digestion of food, the absorption and transport of nutrients and the elimination of waste products.
- Collaborate with the immune system in defence of the organism.
So the intestine controls the brain more than the brain controls the intestine?
In recent years it has been seen that the communication of the intestine to the brain is much more intense, since there is a greater number of fibers that communicate in that direction.
We have always experienced how emotional disturbances affect the intestinal level, such as the sensation of losing appetite when feeling sad or stressed.
The intestine registers emotions: as if it were a small brain, it contains a very complex neural network, which does not think, but behaves like a “sensory organ”. The brain will interpret the information sent by the intestine according to our mood and our environment.
Treatments applied to either of the ¨brains¨ will affect the other. If it is good for one, it will be good for the other and vice versa.
Healthy habits for correct intestinal hygiene
- Respect the signals that the body sends, not suppress the natural needs of going to the bathroom.
- Create a ritual and try to repeat it every day, around the same hours, calmly and long enough to be able to empty your belly well and feel light and clean inside.
- Insist, repeat and continue training your body to respond to your ritual and create a firm conditioned reflex.
- Drink 2 litres of liquids a day, eat at least 400 g of varied vegetables every day, do not forget the legumes (2-3 times a week, at least 200 g in each shot)
- Consume fermented products (yogurt, kefir, curd, sauerkraut)
- Take fruit 3 times a day and at least 30 gr. mixed nuts every day.
- If you cannot meet these recommended daily amounts, you may want to take natural fiber supplements.
- Every once in a while (one day a month or a week) you can speed up your intestinal transit by drinking a lot of prune juice, kiwis or kefir or / and magnesium supplements, and with that you can ensure a thorough cleanse of the intestines.
“What you eat” is as important as “how you eat it”
How to eat?
- Savouring
- Chewing
- Eat calmly
- Analysing the flavours and textures of foods
- Always paying full attention to what we are doing, without performing other simultaneous activities, such as watching TV or reading the newspaper.
Negative thoughts can cause a binge or a cut of digestion and / or appetite. We all know that stress, anxiety, emotional stress, affect the digestive system, many people somatise psychological problems and have strong and varied digestive discomfort. However, a central nervous system that is not under emotional pressure or chronic stress, and that receives adequate breaks and rest, facilitates a good function of the digestive system.
What physical activity should we carry out to favour our intestinal health?
What our body likes most is predictability and regularity. With repetitive physical activity, the body will thank you and provide you with a magnificent well-being. Sporadic physical activities do not have as much value as a regular exercise, which is firmly incorporated into your routine.
Movements and stretches, although they are very simple and short in time (until you get into the routine and enjoy them and spend more time), if they are done every day and at assigned times, they will activate all the vital systems and will ensure you short and long-term well-being.
How to rebalance your second brain?
After ruling out a possible infection or an inflammatory process, which requires treatments with specialists. You can help your balance with Detox cures, green smoothies, adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables, water, alkalizing mineral supplements and probiotics. In this sense, the Mayr Cure offered at the Ocean Hotel & Health Spa in Tenerife invites you to experience a specific treatment for the intestine.
What is the Mayr cure?
It is a digestion-cleaning plan developed around 1920 by Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr. The modern concept of Mayr medicine is a holistic approach to preventive treatment, correction of eating habits and general improvement in health.
It is based on the discovery that the basis for good health goes through an optimal functioning of our intestine. The ultimate goal of the Mayr cure is to improve health through digestive detoxification.
If you would like to learn more about this cure, we wrote a blog about the Mayr Cure where we tell you all about this fantastic bowel cleansing cure, this cure is usually done once or twice a year, as prevention, maintenance or even as a complement to the treatment of some diseases.
The Oceano hotel & Health Spa in Tenerife, offers this cure in its Mayr Center from 7 nights onwards depending on your needs and always under strict medical supervision. Thanks to its impressive location facing the sea and the temperate climate that Tenerife offers all year round, you can be assured of a deep cleanse and integral rest.
You will find all Mayr cure programs offered at the Océano Hotel Health Spa here.
Sources consulted: Interview with Dr. Marcos Asade, Dr. Domingo Pérez León and studies conducted by Dr. Otilia Quireza and Dr. Irina Matveikova published in different web pages.