Photo credit: OSF HealthCare
What you eat affects your gut more thank you think.
What IS Gut Health?
Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, or digestive track, is the biggest part of your digestive system. This is where what you eat or drink breaks down (proteins, carbs, fats, and so on). This is what fuels your body. So, gut health is the health of your digestive track but has a huge effect on many different parts of your body.
Within your small and large intestines are 100 trillion microbes. This area is commonly referred to as your “gut microbiome.” This is the place where digestion and metabolization of your nutrients takes place. (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
When it comes to gut health, balance is vital. Overgrowth of not just bad bacteria but good bacteria can cause issues. It is crucial to have a diverse gut with the right amount of microorganisms.
Causes of Bad Gut Health
- High stress levels
- Not enough sleep
- Diet high in processed and high sugar foods and not enough fiber
- Long-term use of antibiotics
- Lifestyle (not exercising enough)
- Toxins and bacteria from your environment or water
- Chronic Medical conditions
When There is a Problem
Experiencing an upset stomach? Gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, the list goes on. Maybe unintentional weight changes, constant fatigue, skin irritation (Psoriasis), and/or food intolerances?
These are signs to start worrying about your gut.
Did you know taking one course of antibiotics can upset the balance of your gut flora and it can take up to 6 months to recover?
But don’t worry! There are ways to help. In store we carry Restor Flora, a dual-action probiotic formulated specifically for antibiotic use. Because sometimes there is no way around taking antibiotics.
Ways to Take Care of Your Gut
When it comes to helping your gut, there are lifestyle changes and supplements that can help.
- Fermented food to strengthen your gut biome
- Probiotics and prebiotics
- Not every probiotic is treated equal and you should not stay on the same one indefinitely- Stay tuned for our next blog: How to choose a probiotic
- Digestive Enzymes
- We carry ones specifically formulated for gluten and dairy sensitivities and ones to help digest proteins
- Reducing stress (Easier said than done I know)
- This also includes taking care of your mental health!
- Eat slower
- Get more sleep
- Stay hydrated
- Change your diet/check for food intolerances
- Get moving, exercise can be super helpful!
To Test is Best
If you have tried things for your gut but cannot seem to get the results you want, we offer stool testing to get to the root of the problem.
Shannon’s test of choice is GI-MAP. “The GI-MAP (Microbial Assay Plus) is unique in the field of comprehensive stool testing. It relies exclusively on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology to detect parasites, bacteria, fungi, and more, by targeting the specific DNA of the organisms tested” (Diagnostic Solutions Labratory).
Call today or use our website to schedule a test. Stop by the store to pick up a bottle of Restor Flora or ask us about other supplements to help get your gut back in shape!
Sources:
https://www.health.cleavlandclinic.org/gut-health
https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#improving-gut-health
