Indeed, the wisdom of Donguibogam is remarkably explained by modern science. Waste accumulated in the gut is deeply connected to what modern medicine calls gut dysbiosis and leaky gut syndrome. Countless microorganisms live in our gut, and when the balance of this microbial ecosystem is disrupted, harmful bacteria proliferate and excessively produce substances known as gut toxins, especially lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin. A healthy intestinal mucosa acts like a tight mesh network that prevents harmful substances from invading the body. However, when harmful bacteria multiply or inflammatory responses persist, this mesh loosens, allowing toxins like LPS to seep into the bloodstream. These toxins circulate throughout the entire body via blood flow, constantly stimulating our body's immune system and triggering a chronic inflammation response. Chronic inflammation impairs the function of mitochondria, the body's energy factories, and directly impacts brain function as well. Inflammatory responses in the brain disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters, interfering with the secretion of mood- and energy-regulating substances such as serotonin and dopamine, which can directly lead to lethargy, impaired concentration, and the cognitive decline we call brain fog. Furthermore, the gut is called the second brain because it is populated with numerous neurons, and these neurons are connected to the brain through the gut-brain axis, constantly exchanging signals. When gut health deteriorates, problems arise in this communication, potentially leading to brain hypofunction and difficulty in emotional regulation. When the gut fails to function properly, the absorption of nutrients essential for energy production, such as the vitamin B complex, is also impaired, making it difficult to escape the cycle of chronic fatigue where one remains perpetually exhausted regardless of how well one eats and rests. In the end, what Donguibogam describes as both qi and blood becoming diseased can be explained in modern science as systemic chronic inflammation and neuroendocrine disruption. The fact that whole-body health is threatened when gut health breaks down is something we should all deeply appreciate.
