Ep11: Digest & Defend – Fueling and Protecting Your Body

In this episode of your body speaks, Dr. Brook Sheehan explores two vital functions that keep you thriving—digestion and immunity. Your gut does so much more than just break down food; it plays a central role in your immune system, brain function, and overall health. This episode uncovers the incredible ways your body processes nutrients, defends against threats, and adapts to its environment.

You’ll discover how digestion actually begins in the brain, why gut bacteria impact everything from mood to metabolism, and simple ways to support both your digestive and immune health.

Key Takeaways:

• Digestion Starts in the Brain: How the cephalic phase of digestion triggers saliva, stomach acid, and enzymes before you even take a bite.
• Your Gut’s Gateways: The role of key valves like the ileocecal valve in regulating food movement and preventing issues like bacterial overgrowth.
• Why “You Are What You Absorb” Matters: The importance of gut integrity, enzyme production, and bile flow for proper nutrient absorption.
• The Gut-Immune Connection: How 70% of your immune cells live in your gut and what that means for your ability to fight off illness.
• Signs of Gut Imbalance: Bloating, brain fog, skin issues, and what your symptoms reveal about digestion and immune health.

Memorable Moments:

• The Stomach Myth: Why it’s usually your intestines—not your stomach—causing digestive discomfort.
• Fermented Foods & Gut Health: When probiotics and sauerkraut can help—and when they might make things worse.
• Sneezing as an Immune Signal: What random sneezes can tell you about your body’s defense system.
• Five Simple Immune-Boosting Steps: Small but powerful changes that can improve your body’s ability to fight off illness.

What to Expect in Future Episodes:

Next, we’ll explore dividing and depositing—how your body regenerates cells, strengthens bones, and maintains structural integrity for lifelong vitality.

Quote of the Episode:

"Your gut is the gateway to health—nourish it, protect it, and listen to its signals, and you’ll unlock a whole new level of well-being."

Connect with Dr. Brook:

• Website: www.drbrooksheehan.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/drbrooksheehan
• Join the Community: https://drbrooksheehan.com/email-signup

Tune in now to learn how digestion and immunity work together to keep you strong, balanced, and thriving!