Good Health is Gut Health

I’ve increasingly become more fascinated with the topic of gut health and how strongly it impacts our overall health. In fact, without strong gut health, a person can not be optimally well. Much medical focus is being placed on restoring gut health in order to improve overall health. Below I have collected for you some of my most favorite informative interviews from which I have learned a tremendous amount in regards to the importance of a healthy gut microbiome so that you too can learn this information to benefit your health.

The continuous 13-foot passage from mouth opening to anus opening is essentially “outside” the body with barrier walls, permeable walls, and one-way flaps and openings along the way that allow nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, water) to be digested and absorbed into the bloodstream in about 12 hours from beginning to end. When functioning well, the barrier walls keep food in the digestive tract, the permeable walls help nutrients to be absorbed properly, and the one-way flaps keep digested food moving in one direction. When not functioning well, escaped food particles, poor nutrient absorption, and impeded movement can lead to ill health.

From mouth to esophagus to stomach to small intestine, food is churned, mixed with acid, enzymes, and bile to arrive in the large intestine where a variety of bacteria interface with undigested carbohydrates (fiber). If everything has gone well so far, an environment of healthy gut bacteria feasting on wholesome carbohydrates (fiber) can make this last stage of digestion a key component of optimal well being by extracting calories and producing beneficial metabolic by-products.

The gut microbiome contains tens of trillions of microorganisms, including at least 1,000 different species of known bacteria. In the large intestines, bacteria ferment food to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) which are critical to our immune system and for combating inflammation. When these bacteria are unbalanced, dysbiosis is created which can give rise to autoimmune diseases like Irritable Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Eczema, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Multiple Sclerosis, as well as allergies, obesity, and diabetes.

Did you know about 80% of our immunity resides in our gut?

The gut microbiome also has significant impact on the brain via the Gut-Brain Axis. Dysbiosis can contribute to mental disorders like autism, depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s Disease. The brain and gut are connected by the vagus nerve which can transmit signals from the gut to the brain stem. Food and pathogens in the gut can influence brain function in mere seconds as well as impact the volume of serotonin and dopamine (mood neurotransmitters) production.

Did you know that about 95% of serotonin is manufactured in the gut?

What feeds/supports good gut bacteria – INCREASE these!

• soluble fiber (prebiotics) & insoluble fiber
• probiotics (fermented foods like pickles, sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, kombucha, tempeh)
• stress reduction/management
• a wide variety of whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains
• adequate sleep
• adequate exercise
• prebiotic resistant starches (oats, barley, rice, beans, peas, lentils, potatoes, green bananas, plantains)

What kills/harms good bacteria – DECREASE/ELIMINATE these!

• low/no fiber foods (highly processed foods, meat, dairy, eggs)
• alcohol
• stress
• artificial sweeteners
• refined carbohydrates (flour, sugar)
• antibiotics
• glyphosate herbicide/antibiotic

We must take good care of and foster an abundant garden inside our gastrointestinal tract so that these microbes take good care of us!