BY OLUFUNKE FROM PUNCH
It was a busy week for me because I received lots of text messages from readers who wanted to know more about the research I mentioned in the last article on alligator pepper and metformin. Alligator pepper is ata ire in Yoruba and ose oji in Igbo.
An excerpt from the research reads: “Group C, which received metformin, showed a gradual reduction in blood glucose and became normoglycaemic by the 14th day. The test groups D and E, which received 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous seed extract of A. melegueta, respectively, showed a rapid reduction in blood glucose that returned to normal within six days.”
I am glad it was an aqueous extract of alligator pepper, and you know that aqua means water. So, let us see, as laymen, how to prepare it at home. In the study, the alligator pepper seeds were washed and air-dried. The seeds were then ground into a powdery form, and 20g of the powdered seed was soaked in 100ml of distilled water. Distilled water was used to ensure there were no microbes in the water, so you can use a good bottled water brand.
The alligator pepper-water solution was stirred constantly with a magnetic stirrer for 48 hours. Since we may not have a magnetic stirrer at home, just keep shaking your bottle. The stirring is simply to achieve a homogeneous herbal solution.
The solution was sieved after 48 hours and later boiled again. This was probably because they were looking for an extract, and you know that plant extracts are always concentrated forms.
For me, after soaking for 48 hours, you do not have to boil it—just drink it and do not forget to check your blood sugar levels.
This week, I will be talking about the human gut.
The gut refers to your gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal), which is the tract or passageway of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. It contains all the major organs of the digestive system in humans and other animals, including the oesophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Humans have evolved to live with microbes for millions of years. During this time, microbes have learned to play very important roles in the human body. In fact, without the gut microbiome, it would be very difficult to survive. The gut microbiome begins to affect your body the moment you are born.
As you grow, your gut microbiome begins to diversify, meaning it starts to contain many different types of microbial species.
The term gut microbiome refers to the microorganisms living in your intestines. Each person has about 200 different species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in their digestive tract. Some microorganisms are harmful to our health, but many are incredibly beneficial and even necessary for a healthy body.
The incredible complexity of the gut and its importance to our overall health is a topic of increasing research in the medical community.
Research over the past few decades has found links between gut health and mental health disorders, autoimmune diseases, endocrine conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
A higher level of diversity in gut bacteria may be associated with improved general mental and physical health.
The communication system between your gut and brain is called the gut-brain axis. They are connected both physically and biochemically in a number of different ways and may even influence each other’s health.
Neurons are cells found in your brain and central nervous system that tell your body how to behave. There are approximately 86 billion neurons in the human brain.
Interestingly, your gut contains around 168 million neurons, which are connected to your brain through your nervous system. The vagus nerve is one of the largest nerves connecting your gut and brain, sending signals in both directions.
Your gut and brain are also connected through chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are produced in both the brain and the gut to control functions of the nervous and gastrointestinal systems.
The enterochromaffin cells of the small intestine (part of your gut) produce the highest concentration of serotonin. Serotonin is involved in bowel function, nausea, appetite, mood, learning, memory, and sleep.
Your gut microbes also produce a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps control feelings of fear and anxiety.
Your gut-brain axis is also connected through the immune system. The gut and gut microbes play an important role in your immune system and inflammation by controlling what is passed into the body and what is excreted.
If your immune system is switched on for too long, it can lead to inflammation, which is associated with a number of brain disorders like depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Lipopolysaccharide is an inflammatory toxin made by certain bacteria.
It can cause inflammation if too much of it passes from the gut into the blood. This can happen when the gut barrier becomes leaky, allowing bacteria and LPS to cross over into the bloodstream.