Why Is Gut Health Important?

Gut health has been a hot topic in the medical and research community for the past few decades. According to health experts, a healthy gut can offer significant benefits for your overall health. It’s been found to help control weight, improve heart health, lower the risk of diabetes, and even decrease symptoms of depression.

Experts have also linked how one’s gastrointestinal (GI) environment can eighter promote or prevent intestinal diseases, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO), and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).Anchor text: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Interested to know more about your gut?  Read on to discover why your gut health matters, and find out what you can do to reap the benefits of good gut health. 

What Is Gut Health’

Believe it or not, your digestive tract is more than just a pipeline for food to enter and exit your body. In fact, it’s one of the most complex systems in your body, affecting and impacting all of your organs. The main reason for the complexity of your GI tract is bacteria.  

Yes, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms live inside your body. But, not all of them are bad for you; some can even promote good health. The gut houses trillions of bacterial cells that are made up of 1,000 different species, all playing different roles in optimizing your bodily functions. 

In simple terms, a person’s gut health refers to the function and diversity of these microorganisms that live in your digestive tract. They’re also known as your gut microbiome. A diverse gut flora (gut environment) can constitute a healthy gut, while having too much of a certain kind of harmful bacteria will constitute an unhealthy gut. 

Signs Of An Unhealthy Gut 

It’s normal to experience abdominal discomfort, such as pain, bloating, loose bowel movements, and constipation. But, if symptoms persist, that could be a sign of an imbalance in your gut microbiome. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease common for people with an unhealthy gut. Any imbalance in your gut health may also lead to small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO), which can later lead to IBS. You may read a SIFO basic guide to learn more on this matter. 

Besides an upset stomach, other signs of an unhealthy gut may also include unintentional weight loss, blood in stool, sleep disturbance, skin irritation, and food intolerance. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s best to visit your physician to help diagnose your health issues.  

The Gut Affects Your Whole Body 

Although scientific discoveries about the gut microbiome are relatively recent, the microorganisms in your gut are nothing new. In fact, newborn babies are first exposed to bacteria as they pass through their mother’s birth canal. This is why babies who went through natural childbirth have more diverse gut flora than those who didn’t.

Through scientific research, gut bacteria have been found to control the digestion of food and the immune system, as well as improve brain health and other bodily processes. Improvements in microbiome technology have allowed researchers to identify links between changes in gut bacteria and symptoms of serious disease, including type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and many types of cancer.

Good For Your Heart 

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death around the world. But, did you know that a healthy gut may be able to help maintain good heart health? 

Certain bacteria found in your GI tract are linked to cholesterol buildup. These harmful bacteria catalyze the production of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) whenever you eat red meat or eggs. TMAO is a chemical that promotes cholesterol buildup in your blood vessels, which may lead to heart attack or stroke later on. To counter these effects, taking probiotics, like Lactobacilli, has been found to help reduce cholesterol in your body. 

Your Gut And Your Brain Health 

There’s a reason why one of the most common symptoms of mental health condition is an upset stomach. Part of the reason is that your gut is connected to the brain through millions of nerves. In fact, studies have shown that having a balanced gut microbiome has been associated with your emotions and brain processes. 

Moreover, the bacteria in your gut also help produce neurotransmitters, which are chemicals in the brain that carry messages across different organs. One excellent example of a neurotransmitter is serotonin, which is mainly produced in the digestive tract. Serotonin is a chemical that helps reduce depression and anxiety. 

There’s enough study to connect gut and brain health; however, further research is still necessary to solidify the claims of how particular gut bacteria affects your brain processes and emotions. 

Improving Your Gut Health 

If you’re experiencing signs of an unhealthy gut, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to improve your digestive health and increase the diversity of your gut microbiome.  

The first thing you can do to improve your gut health is by watching what you eat. Gut health is mainly influenced by your eating habits, among other things. Consuming a diverse range of foods rich in fiber can help diversify your gut microbiome.  

Incorporate prebiotics and probiotics into your diet. Prebiotics are fiber-rich food sources that act as fertilizers for good bacteria. Some examples of tasty prebiotic foods are apples, artichokes, asparagus, bananas, berries, garlic, leeks, onions, tomatoes, soybeans, and wheat. Probiotics, on the other hand, are food sources that contain good bacteria. You can find probiotics in fermented foods, like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, and kimchi. If you find probiotic-rich foods unappetizing, you may opt to buy zinc ionophore, and other supplements that can help promote good gut health, instead. Mushroom supplements have been found to support your gut, and take care of the gut-brain connection, improving nutrient absorption too. Nature Happiness is one place where you can source natural health supplements to aid gut health. 

Do your best to cut back on processed and sugary foods. High sodium, sugar, and fat have the potential to make your gut environment unconducive to good bacteria, increasing bad bacteria count. Also, check the labels on the foods you buy at the grocery store. Try to limit your consumption of artificial sweeteners as they’ve also been found to promote bad bacteria growth in the gut. 

Besides changing your diet and adding supplements, regular exercise, getting sufficient sleep, and lowering your stress levels can also improve your gut microbiome. When changing diet or taking supplements, it is recommended that you consult with a health care provider and check supplement reviews, such as Total Gut Health reviews, to ensure you remain fit and well at all times. 

Takeaway 

As you can see, your gut is not just a space that you fill with sumptuous foods. It’s an environment for bacteria that helps you maintain your overall health. These microorganisms promote your immune system, heart, and brain health, and help reduce your blood sugar. If you want to reap the benefits of these bacteria, make sure to consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, as well as prebiotics and probiotics.