The Migrating Motor Complex: Why it’s Key For Your Gut and How to Support It
The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) is a key player in maintaining gut health, acting as a natural "cleaning" process that helps keep the digestive system running smoothly. It’s a pattern of contractions that sweep through the stomach and intestines, clearing out leftover food, waste, and bacteria, typically when there’s no food present—such as between meals. This process helps maintain digestive balance, prevent bloating and constipation, and reduce the risk of bacterial overgrowth, ensuring your digestive system is functioning optimally and efficiently.
Why Does the MMC Fail?
The MMC can fail when there are disruptions in the normal electrical and muscular activity of the digestive tract. Some common causes include:
Poor Diet: A diet rich in processed foods, excessive fats, snacking and irregular eating habits can impair its function.
Stress: Chronic stress can disrupt gut motility and the MMC’s cleaning action.
Infections: Dysbiosis, an imbalance of gut microorganisms, can hinder the MMC by disrupting the gut’s natural rhythms and causing inflammation. Equally, a poorly functioning MMC can be a cause of dysbiosis.
Medications: Certain medications, such as antibiotics or painkillers, can affect gut motility.
Sleep Disruptions: Poor sleep hygiene or inadequate sleep can have a significant impact on the digestive system, affecting the MMC’s ability to function properly
Impacts of MMC Dysfunction
When the MMC isn’t working well, it can lead to common digestive issues like:
Bloating: Without proper cleaning of the small intestine, leftover food, bacteria and waste can accumulate, leading to bloating and discomfort.
Constipation and Indigestion: The slow movement of food and waste through the intestines can often lead to constipation, indigestion and nausea.
Dysbiosis: A sluggish MMC can cause conditions in the gut that allow for the overgrowth of opportunistic microorganisms, parasites and pathogens.
How to Support the Migrating Motor Complex
Luckily, there are several simple ways to support your MMC function:
Eat 3 Meals a Day: Avoid snacking between meals to give your MMC time to do its job. This helps the digestive system reset and the gut to clear out residual food and waste.
Eat a Healthy Diet: Eating a diet high in fibre, rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, can support the health of the migrating motor complex. Fibre is fantastic for promoting healthy bowel movements and helping clear the gut.
Try Iberogast: Iberogast is a natural herbal remedy that has been shown to support gut motility and improve symptoms of indigestion and bloating. One recommended dose is 60 drops at night, which can help calm the digestive tract and promote smoother muscle contractions during the night when the MMC is most active.
Manage Stress: Since stress can negatively impact gut motility, reducing stress with techniques like meditation or deep breathing can help keep the MMC working smoothly.
Prioritise Sleep: Proper rest is essential for digestive health, as sleep promotes the repair and regeneration of the gut. Ensuring you get sufficient, high-quality sleep supports the natural rhythms of the MMC and other digestive processes.
By following these simple steps, you can help maintain a healthy MMC and improve overall digestion. If you're struggling with digestive issues, you’re always welcome to reach out for some extra guidance and support! Book a Consultation — The Gut Clinic - Sara Knight | Naturopath Newcastle