Do you experience digestive issues like IBS, SIBO, or gastroparesis?
These conditions can be linked to a malfunction of the migrating motor complex (MMC) in your gut.
What is the MMC?
Think of the MMC as your gut’s housekeeper. It’s a wave of muscle contractions that sweeps through your digestive system between meals, clearing out undigested material and moving it towards the large intestine. This housekeeping cycle typically happens every 1.5 to 2 hours.
How Does Disrupted MMC Affect You?
Constant snacking disrupts this cycle. The MMC works during fasting periods, and if you’re constantly eating, it can’t do its job effectively. This can lead to a variety of digestive problems, depending on which organs are affected:
- Esophagus: Difficulty swallowing, heartburn, chest pain
- Stomach: Gastroparesis (slow emptying), rapid emptying, indigestion, vomiting
- Small Intestine: Malabsorption, bloating, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
- Large Intestine: Constipation, diarrhea, IBS
- Rectum: Fecal incontinence
What Disrupts the MMC?
Several factors can contribute to MMC disruption:
- Stress: Stress triggers blood sugar swings and high cortisol levels, putting your body in “fight-or-flight” mode. This leads to constant snacking, which, as mentioned, disrupts the MMC.
- Western Diet: High in sugar, low in fiber, this type of diet promotes blood sugar swings and cravings, leading to more snacking and less MMC activity.
- Alcohol: irritates the digestive system, increasing stomach acid and affecting all digestive organs. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious GI issues that disrupt the MMC.
Taking Charge of Your Gut Health:
By understanding the MMC and how various lifestyle factors affect it, you can take steps to improve your gut health.
Here are some resources to get you started:
Remember, everyone’s gut health journey is unique. The key to long-term wellness is to understand your own body’s history, stressors, food sensitivities, and insulin sensitivity.
Listen to your gut, but make sure it’s functioning optimally!
