New Book "Gut: The Body's Highest Commander" Released on June 5, Explaining Gut Functions Revealed by Latest Medical Research

Introducing Gut Functions Revealed by the Latest Medical Research Alongside Organs and Systems

Our health is determined by the state of our gut. We introduce how the gut interacts with the body's organs and systems and what commands it gives, covering the brain/mental health, immunity, oral cavity, skin, and uterus/ovaries, based on scientific evidence.

The Gut Communicates with All Organs of the Body

In recent years, it has been discovered that the gut exchanges information bidirectionally with the brain, which performs high-level information processing and decision-making. While it was once thought that the brain alone dominated the human body, the gut can independently complete tasks such as digestion, absorption, and immune regulation without commands from the brain. It both sends information to the brain and receives it.

The gut does not communicate with the brain alone. A vast number of nerves and blood vessels are concentrated in the gut. Through these nerves and blood, it constantly exchanges information with other organs. Therefore, the state of the gut has a significant impact on health and organ function.

The gut has an independent nervous network called the "enteric nervous system." This is a collection of nerves that operate separately from the central nervous system in the brain and spinal cord, automatically controlling movements of food, secretion of digestive juices, and regulation of blood flow.

This enteric nervous system is connected to the brain by nerves, and the gut and brain exchange information bidirectionally (the gut-brain axis). It is believed that the gut-brain connection is why we feel down when our gut is unwell or experience gut distress when under strong stress.

When the Composition of Gut Bacteria is Imbalanced, Health Faces a Crisis

Previously, gut bacteria were categorized into "good bacteria," "bad bacteria," and "opportunistic bacteria." One might think that increasing good bacteria and reducing bad bacteria would be beneficial, but the matter is not that simple. The balance of the gut flora is crucial, as many bacteria play different roles depending on the situation.

The types and proportions of gut flora change over time, reflecting the body's state at that time. A significant imbalance in this composition leads to a "disorder of the gut environment." A state where the balance of the gut flora is lost is called "dysbiosis." This means that the overall harmony is lost because specific bacteria increase too much or necessary bacteria decrease. In other words, it is not just that some bacteria have increased or decreased, but that the stability of the community has been compromised.

We introduce the latest information on the gut based on scientific evidence.

Chapter 1: The True Identity of the Commander - The Gut Governs Health Chapter 2: The Commander's Collaborator - The Function of Lactic Acid Bacteria Chapter 3: The Commander's Work (1) - Gut ⇔ Brain/Mental Health Chapter 4: The Commander's Work (2) - Gut ⇔ Immunity Chapter 5: The Commander's Work (3) - Gut ⇔ Oral Cavity Chapter 6: The Commander's Work (4) - Gut ⇔ Skin Chapter 7: The Commander's Work (5) - Gut ⇔ Uterus/Ovaries Chapter 8: Next-Generation Lactic Acid Bacteria - Profile of 'Jin-san' Lactic Acid Bacteria

Author Profile: Jin Nakamura Currently involved in R&D and wholesale of hospital-use products. Conducting joint research with Tokyo Institute of Science (formerly Tokyo Medical and Dental University) and Hiroshima University Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life. Known as a pioneer who established lactic acid bacteria in the animal industry by deploying supplements for dental and medical clinics and veterinary hospitals. Author of "The New Textbook of Lactic Acid Bacteria," among others.

Book Title: Gut: The Body's Highest Commander Price: 2,420 yen (tax included) Publisher: Tatsumi Publishing