Aaron Hartman, MDFunctional Medicine Specialist | Clinical Researcher

Dr Pamela Smith | Why Your Gut Health is Key to Happiness and Immunity

19 Nov 2024 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:40

A short excerpt from a YouTube interview with Dr. Pamela Smith describing the central role of the gut in overall health. Dr. Smith claims that 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, that 90% of serotonin is produced there, that B12 is produced in the gut, and that gut dysfunction can disrupt hormones (cortisol, thyroid) and lead to leaky gut syndrome, which she defines as a loss of the gut membrane’s ability to keep harmful substances out.

Questions this video answers

70%.

90%.

Vitamin B12.

Cortisol and thyroid hormones.

Leaky gut syndrome (described as the gut membrane failing to keep bad things out).

Chapters

70% of your immune system is in your gut. 90% of serotonin, your happy neurotransmitter, is made in your gut. Your B12 is made in your gut. Many of your hormones are processed in your gut, as are many other things in your body. So if your gut's not healthy, you're really not healthy in relationship to cortisol and thyroid. If those hormones are not normal, then your gut becomes unhealthy. If that happens long term, you get what is called leaky gut syndrome. And when you have leaky gut, the membrane that you have in the body does not keep bad things out.