Be. Well. The Importance of Maintaining Gut Health

Gut health is a popular topic amongst those seeking a healthy lifestyle—so much so that popular gut-health products like kombucha and chicory root have become part of many people’s nutritional routines. Nevertheless, the benefits of these products and the specific contributions of a healthy gut to one’s overall well-being are still being determined.

Your Gut’s Importance in Your Overall Health

The gut or gastrointestinal (GI) system does a lot more than simply break down food; its work is vital to many functions throughout your entire body. The bacteria and other organisms in your intestines, for example, contribute to your immune system. Those same microorganisms work in conjunction with your liver to metabolize waste, to help your immune system to recognize harmful bacteria and even produce neurotransmitters that communicate with your brain, including 95% of your body’s serotonin, which plays a crucial role in mood, sleep, blood clotting and several other essential functions.

These are only a few ways your GI system aids in your body’s health. Research also links gut health to your vision, dental health and to chronic illnesses like diabetes.

Threats to Your GI System

Although the gut can be considered a powerhouse system within the body, several factors can negatively affect its proper function, including:

• A lack of bacterial diversity (common for those who live in Westernized populations with less exposure to environmental microbes)
• An imbalance of good and bad bacteria
• A diet high in sugar, saturated fats and processed foods
• Chronic alcohol, antibiotic or acid blocker use and tobacco smoke or pollutants
• Irregular bowel movements, which can prevent the proper distribution of microbes in your gut
• Various health conditions (e.g., infections, liver cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.)

When negatively impacted by one of the factors mentioned above, you may experience GI symptoms of bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation and more.

With the gut’s multifaceted role in overall health, keeping it healthy is a worthwhile pursuit.

Moving Towards a Healthier Gut

If you’ve been experiencing stomach or gut issues or are concerned about your gut health, you should consult your healthcare provider. To improve your gut health, providers may recommend a course of treatment, including:

An elimination diet to isolate any specific foods that may be upsetting your GI Antibiotics to treat an infection or rebalance certain gut bacteria A plant-rich, high-fiber diet to naturally increase your gut’s probiotics and prebiotics Probiotic and prebiotic supplements to increase the helpful bacteria in your gut

Takeaways

A healthy gut can positively impact much more than your GI system; it can also help other organs and systems function to the best of their ability. Although many factors can threaten your gut’s healthy bacteria, there are also easy changes you can make to benefit your gut and, therefore, your overall physical health.

Probiotics vs. Prebiotics. What’s the Difference?

Prebiotics and probiotics work together to help gut health. Probiotics are live bacteria your gut recognizes as “good,” and prebiotics are “food” for probiotics that help them function most effectively. Although many use supplements like pills, powders or liquids to increase their prebiotics or probiotics, many of these products, despite their marketing, have not been thoroughly tested and may not be of any benefit. However, there also are many foods you can eat that contain them too.