“All disease starts in the gut.” ~Hippocrates~
Gut health has been a “hot topic” of discussion for a few years across social media. We have been hearing and learning why gut health is so important. But do you really understand it all? I have decided to do some research and curate information that will give us a better understanding as to what all the hype is about.
Most of the time, we eat food without even thinking about it. While we may think it is not affecting us, our body thinks otherwise. Now is the time to start listening to your body, it’s time for us to take back our health.
Gut health is the key to digestion, mood, overall health, immunity and even the way we think. The gut is being coined as our “second brain”.
Since the gut is considered our “second brain”, it connects to our main brain via a network of neurons, chemicals and hormones. The gut-brain connection is how the body knows when it is hungry and can change our mood.
There is approximately 3-killograms of bacteria living inside the gut. And did you know that there are more bacterial cells than there are human cells? This means that we are actually made up of over 95% bacteria. That is mind blowing! So, what we eat really does count.
So, what is gut health?
“Gut health also known as the Gut microbiome (mai-kruh-bai-owm)” describes the function and balance of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microscopic living things that exist inside our intestines and on our skin.
The esophagus, stomach and intestines ideally work together to allow us to eat and digest food without discomfort. But that is not the case if you have a digestive disease. Poor digestive health can lead to mood disorders.
Most of the microbes found in the intestine are located in a “pocket” inside the large intestine called the cecum. There are all different types of microbes living inside us. Although there are trillions of microbes, bacteria is the most studied.
There are up to one thousand species of bacteria in the human gut and each of them plays a different role in the body. Most are extremely important to our health, whereas others may cause disease.
Altogether these microbes weigh between 2-5 pounds, which is roughly the weight of our brain. That is why the gut is known as our second brain, with over 95% of serotonin receptors located inside. The two work together and act as another organ that plays a huge role in our health.
Why is gut health so important?
The human gut is more complex than previously thought and is largely responsible for the critical functions of your body. The gut has a huge impact on the body’s overall well-being. A healthy gut contains healthy bacteria and immune cells that ward off infectious agents like bacteria, viruses and fungi, contributing to a strong immune system.
A healthy gut also communicates with the brain through nerves and hormones which helps to maintain our general health for better heart health, improved brain health, mood, sleep and effective digestion. A healthy gut may also prevent some cancers and autoimmune diseases.
The Concept of Gut Bacteria
As mentioned earlier our gut host over a thousand species of bacteria, but is home to more than 100 trillion kinds of bacteria. That’s crazy, right!? But it isn’t a bad thing, because bacteria can play a vital role in our metabolism and health.
The bacteria feed on dietary fiber while they perform a variety of duties which include the making of vitamins B and K as well as breaking down the dietary fiber. This breakdown results in a release of beneficial anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are vital energy sources for our bodies.
Of course, not all bacteria is good bacteria. There is bacterium that is harmful and needs to be rid of. The bad bacterium needs to be replaced with a bacterium that is beneficial. Probiotics can help with this! When there is an imbalance of bacteria, the harmful bacteria leaves very limited space for the good guys.
Did you know that 70% of our immune system resides in our gut?
Most of the time, when we have a weak immune system it can be traced back to what is going on inside the gut. Just by knowing that, it allows us to take our health into our own hands and change what we are putting in our bodies that can enhance our immune health. For optimal immunity, detoxification and nourishment provides balance. It’s that simple.
Signs of An Unhealthy Gut
There are many facets of modern life such as high stress levels, too little sleep, eating processed and high-sugar foods and taking antibiotics can all damage our gut microbiome.
There are a number of ways an unhealthy gut might manifest. Here are a few of the most common signs.
· Stomach disturbances like gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea and heartburn
· A diet high in processed foods and added sugars
· Gaining or losing weight without making changes to your diet or exercise habits
· Sleep disturbances such as insomnia or poor sleep leading to chronic fatigue
· Skin irritations like eczema
· Autoimmune Conditions
· Food Intolerance
Ways to Improve Your Gut Health
Lower Stress Levels
Get Enough Sleep
Eat Slowly
Stay Hydrated
Take a Pre-biotic or Probiotic
Check for Food Intolerances
Change Your Diet
There are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to positively affect your gut health and your overall health as a result. So, show your gut some love.
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