The Surprising Impact of Your Gut on Total Wellbeing
The saying “You are what you eat” might be truer than we ever thought. We already know that what we eat affects our looks, like causing obesity or acne. But now, there’s new research showing that the state of our gut impacts our overall health. Let’s dive deeper with some Q&A to understand this better.
### What is gut microbiota?
Gut microbiota, previously known as gut flora, refers to the community of microbes living in our intestines. This community includes fungi, parasites, and tens of trillions of bacteria from 300-500 different strains. While the idea of having so many bacteria might sound unappealing, many of these microbes are actually beneficial to our health.
### How does microbiota influence health?
The good bacteria in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract play a crucial role in digesting food, absorbing nutrients, fighting off harmful microbes, and preventing illnesses. That’s why probiotics have become popular for boosting the beneficial bacteria in our gut.
Each person’s microbiota is unique, like a fingerprint. It changes with age, environment, and especially diet. Around 75% of your immune system activity happens in your gut. Your gut flora can influence your metabolism, hormone levels, mood, and even bone health. If your microbiota is off balance, you might need to take supplements for mood, bones, diet, and more.
### How does diet affect the microbiota?
Diet is a major factor in shaping your microbiota. There are noticeable differences in gut bacteria between Western and Eastern diets. The type and balance of carbs, proteins, and fats you eat significantly impact which bacteria thrive in your gut. Some bacteria help digest certain foods, producing chemicals that send metabolic signals back to us, their hosts.
For instance, a healthy diet with grains, fruits, and nuts promotes beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus. However, dramatic changes in fat intake can negatively affect your gut flora, altering bile acids, disturbing metabolism, and potentially producing carcinogens.
### What’s the link between gut health and stress?
A balanced microbiota not only improves digestion and boosts the immune system but also connects to our nervous system. The gut is sometimes called the “second brain” because the gut and brain constantly communicate through the gut-brain axis (GBA). If your gut is stressed or impaired, it can impact your central nervous system (CNS) and vice versa.
### Can my gut impact my mood?
Expressions like “gut feeling” or “butterflies in your stomach” hint at the connection between gut health and mood. The microbiome produces serotonin, which makes us feel happy and helps manage stress. Healthy gut bacteria also lower cortisol, the stress hormone. So, a healthy gut can improve digestion, boost immunity, regulate hormones, and support mental clarity.
### How do I improve my gut health?
If you frequently experience muscle tension, fatigue, restlessness, sleeping issues, anxiety, depression, headaches, or GI discomfort, it might be time to check your microbiota and restore its health.
A healthy gut has about 85% good bacteria and 15% harmful strains. Unfortunately, things like highly processed foods, antibiotics, environmental toxins, hygiene habits, and natural aging can reduce your beneficial bacteria. To boost your good bacteria, you can:
– Take pre- and probiotic supplements
– Optimize your diet
– Get more physical activity
– Improve the quality of your sleep
– Avoid unnecessary antibiotics
Understanding the connection between your gut, brain, and overall health can help you manage stress, restore your gut, and improve your general wellbeing.
