Gut Health Equals Whole Body Health
Gut Health Equals Whole Body Health
Did you know that your body is made up of more bacteria than human cells? These bacteria are known as your microbiome. It actually has a mind of its own and controls so many of our systems. When there is an imbalance between the bad bacteria and the good bacteria, that bad bacteria can take over and cause you to crave foods that will feed it. Sometimes the foods we crave are the ones that are not so good for us, but the bad bacteria need it to grow. Pay attention to the cravings you have and ask yourself, “is this something that is beneficial to my health” or “is this something that is feeding the bad bacteria?”
In addition, our gut makes up 80% of our immune system. When there is breakdown in the lining of your gut, then the immune system is compromised. It is important to keep your gut healthy by eating a diverse diet rich in green, leafy vegetables, fiber-rich foods (which feed the good bacteria) and avoid foods that cause inflammation. Getting outside and getting some sunshine is also a great way to get Vitamin D and improve not only your gut health but also your immune health. If you live in a climate where the sun doesn’t shine as frequently, supplementing with Vitamin D is also a good idea.
Our mood is controlled by our gut health as well. When there is an imbalance in our gut, there is usually an imbalance in our mood and hormones. Many neurotransmitters, the chemicals that control our mood and motivation, are produced in the gut. Those include the ones that assist with our sleep/wake cycle, our ability to control our anger, give us motivation, feel happiness, and many more. Keeping our gut healthy results in keeping our minds happy. The gut-brain connection is strong.
Once again when we feed our guts the things that it needs and avoid feeding our bodies/bacteria what we don’t need, then we are working toward whole health. So get out and enjoy the sunshine, walk barefoot in the grass, and feed your body the nutrients it needs! If you need more support in making these changes and developing a plan, check out my website to book a Comprehensive Nutrition Assessment and/or purchase the Gut Health online course to learn more.
