The gut is made up of organs that are in charge of removing toxins from the body, digestion, and absorbing vitamins and nutrients. These organs include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, large intestine (colon), and the anus.
Changes in the health of our gut can be due to bacteria in our digestive system, stomach acid, and gut immunity. The gut houses 70 percent of the cells that make up the immune system, and the immune systems primary function is to protect the body from infection. We have a gut lining that, when compromised, can lead to toxins leaking into the bloodstream; causing the body to go into attack mode.
Signs Of An Unhealthy Gut Include:
-Upset stomach
-Autoimmune conditions
-Cancer
-High sugar diet
-Food intolerances
-Thyroid issues
-Poor sleep and fatigue
-Chronic disease
-Mental health, mood, and brain health
-Skin irritation
-Inflammation
-Mouth, gum, and teeth issues
Ever wonder why you have skin breakouts that are hard to clear with facial medicine and creams? An unhealthy gut can cause potential skin disorders like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. This is due to the body not retaining the necessary nutrients that allow our bodies to absorb the proper vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants we need for healthy glowing skin.
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Do you experience bloating, gas, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and/or a hard time digesting food? This to can be a cause of poor gut health.
So how do we take care of our gut? Here are four simple ways to care for your gut:
1. Eat The Right Food
You are what you eat? What you eat can play a significant role in the overall health of your gut. You want to greatly minimize highly processed food and food high in sugar. Eat food high in fiber, green leafy vegetables, and healthy fats, fruit, legumes, and beans. Food high in fiber help keep you regular and assist in weight management. In addition, you want to drink a lot of water. Water itself helps to flush the body from waste and toxins.
2. Pre/Probiotics
You know probiotics to be beneficial for gut health, but so are prebiotics, and when taken together can make a dynamic duo for overall gut health. Probiotics are bacteria that help your intestines break down food; while prebiotics stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.
3. Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol can cause an imbalance in the gut which can then cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and a reduction of helpful bacteria in the gut. This causes the gut to experience inflammation which causes the intestines to become leaky exposing the bloodstream to toxins. So, it is important to consume alcohol in moderation.
4. Lifestyle Changes
The way you live not only plays an important role in your overall health, but your gut health as well. Maintain a healthy body weight to prevent digestive problems, get enough sleep to avoid obesity, and manage stress.
These simple tips can help you get a start at caring for your gut and preventing potential disease and damage in the future. Have you been caring for your gut lately?
Elissa Mirsky, known to most as Elle, is a published author and former editor-in-chief of Bold Magazine. She believes food shouldn’t be boring and every meal should be fashionably edible. Follow her on Instagram @mylifebeingelle where she is documenting her journey to eat well, live life, and love self.
