What you need to know about your Gut Health
Our bodies are home to nearly forty trillion bacteria1. We humans have a mutually beneficial relationship with these bacteria, meaning we both benefit from this relationship – we help these bacteria live by giving them food and a home, and they help us digest food and develop our immune systems.
The collection of this bacteria is known as the Human Microbiome. While these bacteria are found in different parts of our body such as on the skin, in the nose and mouth, the majority of them reside in our gut.
Why is it important to look after your gut health?
A healthy gut is linked with several benefits, including:
- Digestive Function2
Our gut plays a critical role in digestion. The bacteria in our guts help break the starches and fibres in our food down into particles that our bodies can easily digest. They also engage in the synthesis of essential nutrients such as vitamin K and B vitamins.
- Gut Comfort3
A healthy gut is less likely to experience discomfort as a result of bloating, gas, and other bowel problems.
- Immune function
When bad bacteria (pathogens) have entered the body, your gut is the primary defence against them. The good bacteria in your gut can not only stop bad bacteria from attaching to your gut wall – which would otherwise make you sick – but can also help to actively fight off any bad bacteria present in your gut. Having a healthy immune system also helps your body respond faster to infections or bad bacteria which can mean less intense symptoms or a faster recovery.
While we know the gut and the brain are connected via our nervous system, researchers are beginning to understand more about the link between the gut and the brain – including the link between the food we eat and our mood and mental health.
- Metabolic Health4
A healthy gut ensures that all the cells in our bodies function properly, and help in the management of weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.
What factors affect our gut health?
There are several factors that affect the health of our guts. Some of these include:
- Diet1
The foods we consume play an essential role in determining what types of bacteria live in our gut. The more diverse the diet is, the more diverse are the bacteria, and the healthier is the gut. A high-fibre diet fosters the growth of good bacteria and prevents the growth of the bad ones.
- Medications5
The drugs we consume influence our gut health. For instance, when taking antibiotics to treat infections, most of our gut bacteria- including the good ones- get flushed out. Sometimes, this can lead to the growth of bad bacteria in the gut that can make us sick.
- Genetics6
Our gut microbiota is also shaped by our genetics. Recent findings suggest that the bacteria that we inherit may also play a role in several health conditions such as lactose intolerance.
- Age7
The composition of our gut bacteria changes with age. Research shows a greater diversity in the gut bacteria in the elderly is linked to better health and longer lifespan.
Dangers of an Unhealthy Gut8
Our gut health plays a crucial role in managing our overall health. Bad gut health is associated with gut discomfort, unexpected weight changes, problems with sleep and fatigue, and even mood issues. An unhealthy gut has far-reaching and dire consequences and can affect not only our health but also our quality of life.
References
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/improve-gut-bacteria
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-and-heart-health
- https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/explained-how-proton-pump-inhibitors-and-metformin-interact-with-the-gut-microbiome/
- https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-02-genes-gut-health.html
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/unique-gut-microbiome-patterns-linked-healthy-aging-increased-longevity
- https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#signs-of-an-unhealthy-gut