Hi Friends,
Have you heard of the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC)? It’s one of the most overlooked yet critical processes in your gut.
The MMC is a series of rhythmic, wave-like contractions that occur in your small intestine and colon—essentially the housekeeping system of your gut. These waves help sweep undigested food particles, bacteria, and debris downward through your digestive tract.
But here’s the catch: the MMC only activates between meals, when your stomach is empty.
🚫 Even a single bit of food between meals brings this vital process to a halt!
This is why meal spacing is so important—especially if you’re dealing with bloating or Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). When you snack constantly, your MMC can’t do its job, and bacteria from your colon may backflow into the small intestine. This leads to chronic bloating, discomfort, and sluggish digestion.
Why Your MMC Might Be Sluggish
In today’s world, MMC dysfunction is more common than you think. Here are key reasons why:
🔹 Frequent Snacking – The #1 enemy of the MMC.
🔹 Stress – Chronic stress inhibits the vagus nerve, which activates the MMC via your parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous system.
🔹 Hypothyroidism & Autoimmunity – These conditions can slow gut motility.
🔹 Food Poisoning – Infections with Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli can cause auto-antibodies (like anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin) to form that attack the nerves controlling the MMC! This is a root cause of post-infectious IBS and chronic SIBO. The IBS Smart test can help identify these antibodies.
🔹 GLP-1 Agonists – If you’re on an injectable weight loss medication and feeling bloated, definitely discuss this possibility with your doctor.
Signs Your MMC Isn’t Working Well
If you experience any of the following, your MMC may need support:
❗ Frequent bloating after meals
❗ A heavy, stuck feeling in your stomach
❗ Lack of hunger between meals
❗ Irregular or incomplete bowel movements
❗ Constipation
Did you know that even individuals with frequent diarrhea may still have a sluggish MMC?
This is often the case in Hydrogen-dominant SIBO, where the colon is evacuating multiple times a day, but the small intestine remains overloaded with bacteria. A dysfunctional MMC prevents proper “clean-up” between meals, allowing bacterial overgrowth to persist and symptoms to continue—despite loose stools.
How to Support and Activate Your MMC
🕒 Meal Spacing – Allow 4–5 hours between meals, and aim for a 12-hour overnight fast to let your MMC work.
⌛ Intermittent Fasting – Extending your fasting window to 16-18 hours gives your MMC additional uninterrupted time to do its job!
🏃🏼♀️➡️ Exercise – Doing 30 min of cardiovascular exercise like brisk walking can activate the MMC!
🧘♀️ Vagus Nerve Activation – Deep breathing, yoga, and meditation can stimulate parasympathetic tone.
↪️ Prokinetics focus on stimulating the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) to support healthy gut motility. Unlike laxatives, their primary role isn’t to trigger a bowel movement but to enhance the gut’s natural cleansing waves between meals.
🌿 My Favorite Natural Prokinetic?
🌟 Motility Activator – A patented blend of ginger and artichoke that’s been a game-changer for my patients with bloating and SIBO!
As a former SIBO sufferer, I found that Motility Activator was the turning point in my healing journey. It’s now a patient and customer favorite—especially for those with bloating, sluggish digestion, and SIBO.
Ready to Jumpstart Your MMC?
If you’re struggling with bloating or digestive sluggishness, Motility Activator may be just what your gut needs to get back on track.
👉 Learn more in my video: “My 4-Phase Herbal Protocol for SIBO”
Let’s help your gut’s cleaning crew get back to work!
Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Chips
A delicious, nutrient-dense alternative to regular chips—rich in beta-carotene, fiber, and natural sweetness!
Ingredients (Serves 2–3):
1 very large sweet potato (about 12–14 oz), scrubbed and thinly sliced (1/8-inch thickness recommended)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder (if on a SIBO diet, substitute with Italian seasoning)
1/3 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Slice sweet potato into thin, uniform chips—aim for ~1/8 inch thick for best crispiness.
In a bowl, toss slices with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
Arrange chips in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet—avoid overlapping for even cooking.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Check frequently after the 12-minute mark—edges can brown quickly!
Remove once golden and crisp. Enjoy!
Thank you for reading this week’s newsletter! I hope you learned something valuable about how the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) can help restore your gut health. If bloating, discomfort, or digestive issues are something you’ve been facing, start by cutting out snacking—it’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to activate your MMC.
Warm regards,
Rajsree Nambudripad, MD
Dr. Rajsree is a caring and compassionate physician, who is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Integrative/Holistic medicine. She is passionate about helping patients optimize their health through a preventative approach involving healthy lifestyle, dietary changes, targeted nutritional supplementation, and optimizing hormones. Her practice is unique in the personalized attention she devotes to each and every patient.
