What is Motilin? Why is it important for your gut health?

Do you feel like something is happening in your stomach shortly after you eat, like food is being pushed forward? We've all experienced this. But there's a secret mastermind inside our bodies that helps with this task, one we don't talk about much. It's a hormone called Motilin . Today, let's talk about who this Motilin is, what it does to our bodies, and what happens if it doesn't do its job properly.

Simply put, what is Motilin?

Motilin is a hormone that is specific to our digestive system. In medical terms, we call it a gastrointestinal hormone . Think of it like a traffic cop in our intestines. Its main job is to push the food we eat, and the remaining digested food, from our small intestine to our large intestine . We call this process the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) . It's like a 'housekeeping' wave that cleans the intestines.

Our bodies secrete motilin throughout the day, but it is most secreted when we are not eating. That is, between meals or when we are sleeping.

Motilin levels also change depending on the foods we eat. For example, when you eat fatty foods or foods high in sugar (glucose) , motilin secretion decreases.

What are the main functions of motilin?

Motilin performs several important functions in our body.

1. Facilitates digestion and cleanses the intestines

This is the main job. Motilin controls the process we talked about earlier called the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) . Think of it like you're cleaning up after a party. After you finish eating, the MMC is responsible for sweeping away undigested food particles and bacteria that are left in the intestines.

• Undigested food: These are sent from the small intestine to the large intestine.
• Bacterial control: Stops the unwanted growth of bacteria in the small intestine, pushing them into the large intestine.
• Prevents reflux: It stops bacteria in the colon from moving back into the small intestine.
• Helps with nutrient absorption: Since the intestinal tract is clean, there is no obstacle to nutrient absorption.

2. Helps with protein digestion

Motilin also helps with another thing. That is, it helps produce an enzyme called pepsin in our stomachs. Pepsin is essential for digesting the proteins in the food we eat.

3. Other body activities

When the motilin hormone enters the bloodstream, it affects not only the digestive system, but also other areas.

• Emptying the gallbladder: Helps release bile from the gallbladder. This is very important for digesting fatty foods.
• Stimulating hunger: Motilin works with the hormone ghrelin , also known as the 'hunger hormone', to help create the feeling of hunger.
• Insulin release: Motilin also has some effect on the release of the hormone insulin from our pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar levels.

What problems are caused by changes in motilin levels?

Sometimes, due to various reasons, the level of motilin in our body can decrease or increase. This can cause digestive problems.

Let's understand this more clearly from the table below.

So, how do we maintain these motilin levels and gut health?

It's important to follow a healthy lifestyle to maintain a healthy digestive system and hormonal balance. These habits can make a big difference to you.

• Get good sleep: Try to get at least 7 hours of good, uninterrupted sleep a day.
• Drink plenty of water: It's a good idea to drink about 3-4 liters of water per day, depending on your body size, work, and activity level.
• A balanced diet: Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.
• Exercise: Do strength-building exercises, stretching, and aerobic exercise like walking and running every day.
• Stay away from bad habits: Quit smoking and other tobacco use. Also, limit caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods as much as possible.
• Use of Antibiotics: Antibiotics should be used only when absolutely necessary and only under medical advice. Using them unnecessarily can kill the good bacteria in the intestines.