The Future of Nutrition: the Interaction of the Microbiome & the ECS

Laura Lagano will be speaking at The Future of Nutrition: the Interaction of the Microbiome & the ECS

Session Description

Optimal health may lie in the interaction among the gut microbiome, the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and nutrition. The gut microbiome interacts with CB1 receptors plus enzymes that breakdown endocannabinoids. The role of the ECS in gut health involves the expression of CB1 receptors in the intestines plus CB2 receptors in the immune cells of the GI tract. These and other receptors have multiple actions, including intestinal and gastric secretion modulation, barrier maintenance against pathogens, and appetite regulation. Phytocannabinoids can restore intestinal permeability by repairing the tight junctions and may impact zonulin. Food impacts the microbiome, altering the expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors and consequently endocannabinoid status. The microbiome is rising to status as one of the most significant drivers of health. The ECS is joining the microbiome as a foundational player of health status. Combined, the ECS, the microbiome, and nutrition are poised to be the primary foci of healthcare in both health promotion and disease treatment.