Gut Health
“Gut health” describes the function and balance of bacteria of the many parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Ideally, organs such as the esophagus, stomach and intestines all work together to allow us to eat and digest food without discomfort. An un-healthy gut can also lead to various systemic conditions.
6 Ways to improve your gut health:
- Eat more whole grains, nuts, load up on veggies, beans and fresh fruits.
- The link between your teeth and your gut
- Eat fermented foods that have beneficial bacteria
- Eat more dark chocolate and foods with polyphenols
- Blend in the spices
- Limit artificial sweeteners
Signs of an un-healthy gut
- You have an upset stomach
- You feel tired more often than not
- You have trouble sleeping in general
- You are intolerant to some foods
- You have extreme food cravings, especially sugar
- You have unintentional weight gain or loss
- You have skin irritations
Probiotics and your gut
Probiotic supplements have become increasingly popular as word of the importance of gut health continues to spread. While probiotic supplements aren’t a panacea for gut health, there’s some evidence they can give the microbiota a boost and restore gut health under certain conditions.
Microbiome
The microbiome is all of the bacteria, viruses and fungi that inhabit the human body, says Dr. Hazan.
These bacteria are everywhere, including the skin, mouth, throat, stomach, colon, uterus, ovarian follicles, prostate, lungs, ears and eyes. “You name it, and there are microorganisms nearby,” Dr. Hazan says, adding that research has identified around 10,000 different microbial species in the human body.