You might be familiar with the emerging trends centered on promoting health through the gut, but what does this really mean and how does one attempt to do so? Given its far-reaching effects in various other aspects of our health, maintaining your gut health is imperative to promoting general wellness. Here’s how to make your gut happy.
What is gut health?
Gut health refers to health of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Our gut health plays a part in everything from our immune system to our brain health.
The gut microbiome is located in our intestinal tract and is comprised of all microorganisms including those that play key roles in digestion and absorption. On average, there are approximately 200 types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in our digestive tract representing over 100 trillion microbes. Of course, the goal is to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Gut health can be defined by several factors including the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome (diverse and stable is preferred) and efficient digestion and absorption of food.
Let Nature’s Way guide you through effective strategies for promoting gut health:
Probiotic supplements
Probiotics are living microorganisms, also known as “good bacteria,” that are found in various foods or can be consumed in supplement form. Probiotics help support a healthy gut microbiome, therefore promoting benefits in numerous aspects of your health.*
Try Nature’s Way Probiotic Pearls® Complete Digestive Health*, formulated with 6 probiotic strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. A daily dose helps promote digestive balance, supports immune health, and protects against occasional bloating, constipation, and digestive discomfort.* Or give our extra-strength Fortify® 50 Billion Daily Probiotic a chance, with each serving providing 50 billion live probiotic cultures, plus prebiotics, which are a food source for good bacteria.*
Diet, diet, diet!
Diet is very closely linked to gut health. Long-term dietary patterns can play a role in shaping everyone’s microbiota profile. Incorporate these tips into your diet to promote gut health:
- Eat high-fiber foods like quinoa, beans, fresh fruit, and nuts to help maintain regularity.
- Try out fermented foods with beneficial bacteria such as kimchi, yogurt, and sauerkraut.
- Snack on prebiotic foods to fuel the “good” bacteria, with foods like oats, garlic, onions, and asparagus.
- Try to reduce your consumption of highly processed foods and foods high in refined sugar.
Stay hydrated
Consuming enough fluids is key in helping your body digest food and move it along in your digestive tract. Dehydration can be a cause of or worsen occasional constipation. The recommended daily fluid intake for women is about 2.7 liters, and for men it’s 3.7 liters. If you’re wondering if you’re drinking enough water, find out here.
Lower your stress levels
The gut-brain axis refers to the fact that the gut influences the brain and vice versa. This communication occurs through the vagus nerve (VN), the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system. Stress can negatively affect the VN, which may lead to consequences for the GI tract and microbiota.
Here are some ideas to help manage stress levels and make your gut smile:
- Exercise! Try out a morning yoga class and see the sunrise.
- Read a good book and put that phone down.
- Go get a massage and let the stress physically leave your body.
- Spend time in nature. Go on a hike or take a trip to your local park – anything green counts!
Supporting gut health is crucial for your general well-being. Gut health affects many different aspects of your health, including your immune and brain health. Employ strategies such as probiotic supplementation, a gut-friendly diet, adequate hydration and stress reduction techniques to promote a thriving gut microbiome and digestive wellness.*