The Second Brain

Friday, December 04, 2009

So I have been reading a book called The Maker's Diet, and I love it because it talks about ALL aspects of nutrition: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.  Now, before you all tune this out thinking this is a "fluffy, feel good" book and blog post, think again, it is also very scientific.  For any of you who know anything about me (Tina), or Darin for that matter, the scientific part of my brain far outweighs any creative part, so I need "meat" in my information...just so happens I need it in my diet too!  So let me cut to the chase of this post, "the second brain". 

The author of The Maker's Diet, Jordan S. Rubin talks about the fetal development of the brain, and the gut - that is before we are even born.  Turns out, that the same lump of nerves splits to form the central nervous system (the brain, and spinal cord) and the enteric nervous system (the system of nerves that control our gut (stomach, and intestines).  I vaguely remember learning all of this in school, but I never paid much attention to the fact that there is an immense collection of nerves in our gut.  There are as many nerve ending in our gut as there are in our brain!  Not only that, but they are connected to the brain by the vagus nerve after this split during development. 

What does all of this mean, you might be wondering...ALOT!  Have you ever heard the term "gut instinct" or had "butterflies in your stomach" (like before a WOD)?  Ever wonder why being stressed out can make you feel sick to your stomach?  Well, this is why!  Dr. Rubin goes on to point out that many of the "neuropeptides" (chemical) found in the brain are also found in the gut in high concentration.  Many of these are chemicals found in recreational drugs like opiates and popular mood controlling prescription medications!  The gut is a powerful place that can make or break not just our weight but our mood, feelings, and overall well-being.  No wonder a big-old-greasy-burger can feel like a lump in our stomach and weight-on-our-minds, or a WOD can trigger a "gut-wrenching" sensation just before we start.  For more information, check out The Maker's Diet by Jordan S. Rubin.  There is a wealth of information presented there that will change the way that you view your diet and your health.  I'll post some more short summaries as I read more.  Happy eating!

The Second Brain

Friday, May 18, 2012

So I have been reading a book called The Maker's Diet, and I love it because it talks about ALL aspects of nutrition: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.  Now, before you all tune this out thinking this is a "fluffy, feel good" book and blog post, think again, it is also very scientific.  For any of you who know anything about me (Tina), or Darin for that matter, the scientific part of my brain far outweighs any creative part, so I need "meat" in my information...just so happens I need it in my diet too!  So let me cut to the chase of this post, "the second brain".  

The author of The Maker's Diet, Jordan S. Rubin talks about the fetal development of the brain, and the gut - that is before we are even born.  Turns out, that the same lump of nerves splits to form the central nervous system (the brain, and spinal cord) and the enteric nervous system (the system of nerves that control our gut (stomach, and intestines).  I vaguely remember learning all of this in school, but I never paid much attention to the fact that there is an immense collection of nerves in our gut.  There are as many nerve ending in our gut as there are in our brain!  Not only that, but they are connected to the brain by the vagus nerve after this split during development.  

What does all of this mean, you might be wondering...ALOT!  Have you ever heard the term "gut instinct" or had "butterflies in your stomach" (like before a WOD)?  Ever wonder why being stressed out can make you feel sick to your stomach?  Well, this is why!  Dr. Rubin goes on to point out that many of the "neuropeptides" (chemical) found in the brain are also found in the gut in high concentration.  Many of these are chemicals found in recreational drugs like opiates and popular mood controlling prescription medications!  The gut is a powerful place that can make or break not just our weight but our mood, feelings, and overall well-being.  No wonder a big-old-greasy-burger can feel like a lump in our stomach and weight-on-our-minds, or a WOD can trigger a "gut-wrenching" sensation just before we start.  For more information, check out The Maker's Diet by Jordan S. Rubin.  There is a wealth of information presented there that will change the way that you view your diet and your health.