How Does Gut Health Impact Overall Health?
The gut microbiome is very closely linked to overall health and wellness. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a group of over 100 million nerve cells that line our gastrointestinal tract.
Our gut health affects how well our ENS can perform its basic duties. Not only can a healthy gut keep our digestive system in proper shape, but it can also help prevent serious illnesses and conditions, such as:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome(IBS)
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Obesity
- Autoimmune diseases
- Inflammation
- Autism
- Cancer
Our gut health is also linked to our immune system. Dan Peterson, professor of pathology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says, “A huge proportion of your immune system is actually in your GI tract.” So, boosting your gut health will boost your body’s overall ability to stave off even simple illnesses like the flu.
Additionally, an unhealthy gut can also cause mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. Whereas gastrointestinal issues and mental health problems have been known to be correlated for decades, it’s only recently that studies have found a causal relationship between gut health and mental health.
The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication that happens between the enteric nervous system (CNS) and the central nervous system (CNS). This communication shows that our gut health has a direct impact on our mental health, as the ENS is in charge of releasing critical neurotransmitters for mood and cognitive capacities, such as serotonin and dopamine.
In other words, gut health is intrinsically linked to both physical and mental health. If you suffer from frequent illnesses or mental health problems, focusing on healing your gut may prove helpful in staying happy and healthy.
Which Foods Promote a Healthy Gut?
The number one indicator of a healthy microbiome is the diversity of plants in your diet. The more plants you can consume on a regular basis, the more diverse and balanced your gut microbiome will be.
Specifically, you should try to consume as wide a variety of fruits and vegetables as possible. The more, the merrier! Next time you visit the grocery store, try buying (and eating!) as many of the following as you can:
- Fermented foods. Most fermented foods will be incredible for your health, including kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir, and tempeh.
- Vegetables. Try including all kinds of vegetables in your diet for a more diverse microbiome.
- Fruits. Most fruits are packed with plant fiber, which is an excellent food source for the bacteria in your gut.
- Nuts and seeds. These foods pack a lot of protein and plant fiber, also making them excellent choices for gut health.
- Whole grains. No need to villainize bread and brown rice! Try going for fermented, sprouted, or sourdough whenever possible.
What are the Signs of an Unhealthy Gut?
If you have an unhealthy gut, you may notice one or several of the following symptoms:
- Stomach pains
- Random weight fluctuations
- Autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s or Celiac
- Food intolerances and sensitivities
- Sleep problems
- Skin conditions like rosacea and psoriasis
- Strong food cravings
- Frequent headaches and migraines
- Mood swings and unstable mental health
Poor gut health can manifest in various ways, and the signs can vary from person to person. However, there are several common signs that may indicate compromised gut health. This list below provides more details from the list above:
- Digestive issues. Chronic constipation, diarrhea, frequent bloating and gas, burping, abdominal discomfort or pain, or unexplained changes in bowel habits.
- Nutritional deficiencies. Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, often due to impaired nutrient absorption in the gut.
- Food sensitivities. Development of new food sensitivities or allergies or difficulty digesting certain foods.
- Frequent infections. Recurrent or persistent infections (particularly in the gastrointestinal tract), frequent colds or respiratory infections.
- Fatigue and sleep disturbances. Unexplained fatigue, poor sleep quality, insomnia, or disrupted sleep patterns.
- Poor mental wellbeing. Anxiety, low mood, mood swings and irritability.
- Skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, or unexplained skin rashes or redness.
- Joint pain and inflammation. Joint pain and inflammation may be related to chronic inflammation from gut issues.
- Chronic bad breath. Persistent bad breath that is not alleviated by good oral hygiene practices.
How do we diagnosis poor gut health?
We check your general blood work (Complete Blood Chemistry) and analyze the questionnaire that will be completed to determine your level of gut abnormalities.
How do we treat poor gut health?
Once a determination has been made regarding your gut health, a customized plan will be developed. It will include, but is not limited to, nutritional food plan, detox recommendations, supplemental support.