How does gut health affect overall health? -Gogo Herbs

The structure of the gut/gastrointestinal tract is undeniably complex, and the latest research reports show that,Gut HealthCan affect the overall health of our body. Reports have linked an unhealthy gut to many diseases, such as emotional problems, stubborn illnesses, autoimmune diseases, and more. So, what does an unhealthy gut look like? Why is it so closely related to our health?

What Our GI Tract Does

In its simplest of functions, our gut is the means of transportation for our food to be absorbed and excreted. Our brains communicate with our stomachs to release food from the stomach to the gut when it's ready where it passes through trillions of gut microbes. These microbes are bacteria of which, in a healthy gut, homes plenty of these good bacteria. During this process, the microbes make vitamins and send signals to our brain and immune function. Our gut contains 70-80% of our immune tissue, meaning that an unhealthy gut, also called dysbiosis, could lead to more than just feeling generally unwell. Scientists hypothesize that when a gut is unhealthy, it becomes more porous allowing more toxins to enter the bloodstream.

Signs of Poor Gut Health

There are a variety of factors that can affect our guts and alter our microbiomes, such as stress, too little sleep, antibiotics, and processed foods, or a high-sugar diet as they are linked to decreasing the numbers of good bacteria that should be present. This causes inflammation in the body which is the number one precursor to several diseases. As a result of some of these symptoms of an unhealthy gut may present themselves in one or more of these ways:

Stomach upset

This is the easiest identifier of an unhappy gut. Having an upset stomach causes stomach or gut pain, cramping, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea all of which are indications that your gut is having trouble processing food and eliminating waste.

Sudden changes in weight

Sudden weight gain or loss can also be a symptom of an unhealthy gut. When our gastrointestinal tract is out of balance, it affects our ability to absorb nutrients, use sugar + or store fat. An overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can lead to weight loss. In addition, the urge to overeat may develop due to insufficient nutrient absorption.

Skin issues

Skin problems can also be linked to an unhealthy gut. Inflammation from a poor diet can irritate the skin or cause a food allergy.

Sleep and fatigue issues

Poor gut health can affect your sleep, such as sleep disturbances or insomnia. Serotonin, a hormone that affects moods and sleep, is produced in the gut meaning that an unhealthy microbiome has the potential to disrupt or impair your sleep.

Food intolerances

Food intolerances mean that your gut has difficulty digesting and absorbing certain foods. This is an immune reaction and it is thought that food intolerances may be caused by an unhealthy gut.

How To Take Care of Your GI Health

For optimal gut health and overall health, it’s important to have a diverse number of bacteria in your gut which can easily be achieved with diet and lifestyle.

Eat a well-balanced diet rich in prebiotic foods

This includes plenty of fibrous vegetables and leafy greens along with omega-3 fatty-acid rich foods like salmon.

Limited intake of simple carbohydrates and red meats

Simple carbohydrates are low in fibre making it hard for the GI tract to digest and absorb, instead focus on eating complex carbohydrates that are high in fibre. Red meat has been associated with increased inflammation so it is best to keep consumption at a minimum.

Eat fermented foods

Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, kombucha, and yogurts with live cultures are full of probiotics to help keep the good bacteria in your gut thriving. They may also help you digest better resulting in reductions in bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.