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Summary of Transcript:
yeah that’s a much harder problem and i think that’s something that’s really important to understand is that the gut is really a unique organ in that sense it has to do both of those things and it’s got to be able to do them in a way that is protective of the body itself and so that’s the challenge that the gut has to face and i think that’s something that’s really important to understand and that’s why it’s so important to understand the embryology of the gut because it’s really the fundamental foundation of how this organ is structured and how it’s able to do both of those things simultaneously yeah and what is it that takes place during our development as embryos that leads to this system of the gut so as embryos develop they form three layers the ectoderm mesoderm and endoderm and the endoderm gives rise to the gut and the gut is formed from these three layers and then the gut goes through a process of folding and rotation and that’s what gives the gut its shape and its form and it’s also what gives the gut its ability to absorb nutrients and to be able to defend itself from the outside world and so that’s really the fundamental process that takes place during development that leads to the formation of the gut.
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Summary of Description:
This episode of The Peter Attia Drive features a discussion with Mike Gershon, a Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University, and an expert in neural control of the gut. Mike explains the pathways of gut-brain communication, how the gut responds to different foods, the effects of antidepressants and antibiotics, and the utility of gut microbiome diagnostic tests. He also offers his thoughts on diet, probiotics, and prebiotics, and how they impact the microbiome and GI tract.
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The Gut-Brain Connection: Mike Gershon’s Tour de Force on Neural Control of the Gut
The gut-brain connection is one of the most complex and fascinating areas of research in the medical field. Dr. Mike Gershon, a professor of pathology and cell biology at Columbia University, is one of the foremost experts on this topic and has been studying neural control of the gut for the past 60 years. In this episode of The Peter Attia Drive, he gives a tour de force on the pathways of gut-brain communication.
Overview of GI Tract Development and Anatomy
Dr. Gershon starts by providing an overview of gastrointestinal tract development and anatomy. He explains how the gut communicates with the brain and vice versa, from early observations in physiology and anatomy up to our present understanding of what makes the GI tract so unique and complex relative to other organs. He talks about how the gut responds to meals of different food qualities and how that affects satiety signaling to the brain.
Impact of Drugs on Digestion
Dr. Gershon then delves into the impact of drugs on digestion. He explains how antidepressants and other drugs impact digestion through effects on serotonin signaling, and he discusses the effects of antibiotics, and what’s really going on with “leaky gut.”
Gut Microbiome Diagnostic Tests
Finally, Mike offers his thoughts on the utility—or lack thereof—of gut microbiome diagnostic tests, and wraps up the discussion by considering how diet, probiotics, and prebiotics impact the microbiome and GI tract.
This episode of The Peter Attia Drive is an incredibly informative and insightful look into the complex world of gut-brain communication. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, this episode is a must-listen.
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Mike Gershon is a Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University and has been at the forefront of studying neural control of the gut for the past 60 years. In this episode, Mike gives a tour de force on the pathways of gut-brain communication but first sets the stage with an overview of gastrointestinal tract development and anatomy. He then explains how the gut communicates with the brain and vice versa, from early observations in physiology and anatomy up to our present understanding of what makes the GI tract so unique and complex relative to other organs. He talks about how the gut responds to meals of different food qualities and how that affects satiety signaling to the brain. Additionally, he explains how antidepressants and other drugs impact digestion through effects on serotonin signaling, and he discusses the effects of antibiotics, and what’s really going on with “leaky gut.” Finally, Mike offers his thoughts on the utility—or lack thereof—of gut microbiome diagnostic tests, and wraps up the discussion by considering how diet, probiotics, and prebiotics impact the microbiome and GI tract.
We discuss:
-Intro [0:00]
-The basics of the gastrointestinal (GI) system [3:45];
-The very early development of the GI system [9:30];
-The unique properties of the blood supply and portal system in the GI tract [12:45];
-An overview of gut anatomy and innervation [16:30];
-Turnover of the epithelial lining and why cancer rarely develops in the small intestine [26:45];
-Nutrient and water absorption in the small and large intestine [30:30];
-Ways in which the gut and brain communicate [34:30];
-The gut’s role in the regulation of appetite [43:30];
-The impact of gastric bypass surgery on satiety signals [51:15];
-How varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can infect neurons in the gut and create issues later in life [54:30];
-The relationship between autism and gastrointestinal illness [1:02:45];
-The important role of serotonin in the gut, and the impact of SSRIs on serotonin in the gut [1:09:45];
-Defining “leaky gut” and its most common causes [1:16:45];
-The gut microbiome [1:30:45];
-Fecal transplants: use cases, limitations, and how they illustrate the importance of gut microbes [1:40:45];
-Gut microbiome diagnostic tests: why they aren’t useful outside of special cases such as cancer detection [1:50:30];
-Nutritional approaches to a maintain optimal flora in the gut [1:55:00];
-Prebiotics and probiotics, and getting your GI system back on track after a course of antibiotics [2:02:30]; and
-More.
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About:
The Peter Attia Drive is a weekly, ultra-deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing health, longevity, critical thinking…and a few other things. With over 45 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including fasting, ketosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more.
Peter is a physician focusing on the applied science of longevity. His practice deals extensively with nutritional interventions, exercise physiology, sleep physiology, emotional and mental health, and pharmacology to increase lifespan (delay the onset of chronic disease), while simultaneously improving healthspan (quality of life).
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