The Premier Integrative Applied Neurology and Therapeutic Laser Center of Arizona

The Brain-Gut Axis

The brain-gut axis is a complex concept, however it makes complete sense when it is described in a simple way.The

The brain is composed of different lobes responsible for different things. The frontal lobe is responsible for movement, thoughts, behavior, and executive decision making. When it’s working well, all these things work well, but when it’s not you get depression, anxiety, inappropriate behavior, emotional instability, and improper movement patterns.

The digestive system works much in the same way because it is subconsciously controlled by the brainstem. The brainstem is the little piece that sticks out of the bottom of the brain and is where the cranial nerves come out of. There are 12 cranial nerves to be exact, but we are only going to talk about 1.  The Vagus Nerve (Cranial Nerve #10)Vagus nerve_ credit eiriu.eolas.org

The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body that connects the bottom of the brain to everything in your torso. The vagus nerve connects to the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, stomach, small and large intestines, colon, spleen and pancreas.

Let’s talk about how it interacts with the digestive system (the stomach, small and large intestine and colon).

First off, if this Brain-gut axis is working properly, you probably won’t even notice it, because everything will be working like it should, and you shouldn’t have any symptoms.

However when it’s not working right, you start to experience symptoms as each of these systems breaks down.

Main things the vagus nerve helps the GI system do

  • Make HCL and enzymes to breakdown food and kill bacteria in the food/liquids we put into our body
  • Increases motility to help move food through so you can absorb food
  • Increases blood flow so you can digest and absorb your foods/liquids
  • Increases blood flow to your brain and extremities

We will be going further in depth on Brain-Gut Dysfunction and will expand more to help you understand why your’e experiencing your issues.

If you are having any chronic or reoccurring issues of the GI system, look for a dysfunctional Brain-Gut Axis. Give our office a call and schedule your evaluation so we can get to the bottom of your health issues.

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Janine Crifasi, DC, CCST

Dr. Janine Crifasi, our newest team member at AZ Chiropractic Neurology, is originally from New York – which explains the accent. She attended Life Chiropractic College West and was the Centennial class’s Most Outstanding Graduate. She practiced in the Bay Area until moving closer to family to raise her son who is attending college.

Dr. Janine is committed to learning and educating people to change their awareness about their bodies’ potential and empowering them with unique methods of retraining their brains to maximize their quality of life through neuroplasticity. Her passion to help others puts her patients at ease and makes her a highly sought-after community speaker. Prior to coming to Chandler, she owned a center specializing in kids with learning disabilities and served as the northeast clinical director of a functional neurology practice, overseeing several functional neurology clinics. 

She has completed her post-doctoral clinical neuroscience studies in Functional Neurology through the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies and has successfully completed the clinical exam and is now board eligible for the written portion. She is a Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic for over 26 years. She has received additional extensive training in Spinal Trauma, and the Activator Method, and has a certification in Postural Neurology. 

In an effort to better serve her patients, Dr. Crifasi completed postdoctoral specialty training in blood chemistry, thyroid chemistry, brain chemistry, neuro-immune, and neuro-endocrine functional medicine. This knowledge of the brain-gut axis, and the mechanisms that impact our health, allow her to provide patients with easily implemented modifications enhancing improved lifestyle and nutraceutical recommendations as needed.