Ok But What Does "Gut Health" Even Mean?

"Healing your gut" has been getting a lot of hype lately but how does that really work?

WHAT IT MEANS:

First things first, a healthy gut is not a one size fits all term, it can feel and process different to everybody. Healing your gut microbiome essentially refers to the overall health and functionality of the digestive system, which includes the stomach, small and large intestines, and other digestive organs. It is essential for the body to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste effectively.

Our gut microbiomes can be considered as their own vital organ since they control many factors of our life: digestion, energy, and mood.

When your gut is healthy, it can effectively digest food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste. A healthy and active gut can help reduce inflammation and prevent digestive issues like bloating, gas, and constipation,

Some signs of good gut health are:

• Healthy digestion

• Strong immunity

• Good sleep

• Clear skin

• Stable energy levels

On the other hand, a poor gut look like:

• Bloating and gas (IBS or SIBO)

• Abnormal food intolerances

• Chronic fatigue

• Autoimmune disorders

HOW YOU HEAL YOUR GUT:

Many factors contribute to poor gut health; however, these are my overall top 5 tips that have helped me heal my gut over the past couple of years!

1. Eating a whole foods diet - limiting processed foods and artificial preservatives that our body cannot digest.

2. Hydrating more - I don't want to sound like a broken record, but this really is the solution to everything!

3. Getting enough sleep - I overlooked my sleep when I was healing my gut, but it is actually super important! (When you don't get enough sleep, your stress hormones can rise and cause intestinal permeability issues)

4. Incorporating more probiotics - probiotics are the live microorganisms (good bacteria) that reside in the gut that support our immune system, aid digestion, and assist with nutrient absorption into our bloodstream.

Examples of foods that contain probiotics include kefir, pickles, sourdough bread, sauerkraut, and papaya

5. Drinking tea after dinner - I drink either a ginger or peppermint tea every night before I go to bed to relieve my stomach acidity and aid digestion.

Another important factor in gut health is limiting stress! Chronic stress can affect gut health, so it's important to find ways to manage stress levels. Try practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or regular exercise.

WHY YOU NEED TO DO IT:

I have gone on and on about what gut health is but the most crucial part of understanding it is the amazing benefits and effects that it provides.

A healthy gut supports our body with important vitamins, energy, and happiness that we need in our daily lives. Our mind and gut are interconnected, so if you have a poor gut, you likely also deal with stress, negativity, and constant tiredness. On the contrary, a healthy gut leads to a healthy mind that can maximize productivity and serotonin.

Heal your gut. Heal your life.