How to Maintain & Improve Gut Health
Regain Vitality.
At all stages of life, it is important to keep your immune system, specifically your gut health, in check. Knowing what you can do to help support your immune function plays a pivotal role in strengthening your capacity to ward off infection, regain vitality and utilize nutrients.
You may be aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy gut bacterium. What does that mean? Well, the gut and GI track is home to roughly 100 trillion (yes, you read that correctly) bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and protozoa collectively called the gut microbiome. This internal megatropolis contains bacterial superheros that help us to digest our food, absorb nutrients, make essential aminos and produce hormones. There are also the bad guys in there too that can make us feel sick, cause inflammation and interrupt our immune health.
Because almost 80 percent of our bodies immune cells reside in the digestive system, this is the site that our health and immunity can be influenced by what we eat. For example, if we feed those bad guys a lot of refined sugars and foods loaded with saturated fats, it is an invitation to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is the pathology that develops in the cells which leads to poor communication, which in turn, leads to chronic diseases such as arthritis, obesity, allergies, infertility, and neurodegenerative and cancer conditions. Alternatively, if you are providing the superheros with a plant-rich diet with a wide range of vegetables and fruits and with high-fibre, whole grains and legumes, you will support and ultimately maintain a healthy biome.
In order to support gut diversity and open the communication pathways, there are other more particular foods that can influence the health of the invisible life within us. We want to disrupt the inflammation which is the pathology that develops in the human cell by supporting the relationship between the invisible life within us and our overall health outcomes. Try incorporating fermented foods into your diet such as sauerkraut, kefir, apple cider vinegar, and miso for example. These foods contain helping doses of live probiotics full of healthy microorganisms. There is no need to overdo it, small amounts a couple of times per day will bolster your biome. Over time, as your body tips the scales and the superheros are back in charge of your community, you will notice less sickness, more energy, and better nutrient absorption because the bad guys aren’t in control anymore bringing your cells down! Remember, your body is alive and a symphony of activity every moment of every day. Pay respect and attention to that by providing it with the best opportunity for success.