7 Reasons to LOVE YOUR GUT!

Over the last few years, mainly because of my online health and wellness business, I have become accutely aware of the topic of gut health. 

It is not something that I am expert in – there are plenty of nutrition experts out there of course - but from my experience of running a health and wellness medical clinic health and wellness medical clinic  for the last 17 years, I have gained an insight into what's important.

There are a few very important aspects of gut health that the average person like me should be aware of because gut health is incredibly important for our overall well-being and it plays a vital role in various aspects of our daily and also long-term health.

We often overlook our gut’s importance! I have to admit that I took it for granted for the first few decades of my life, but if we understand it’s role we can make incredibly positive changes to so many aspects of how our body works. That awareness of gut health starts with an understanding of your microbiome.

Your Gut Microbiome

One of the most important factors to a healthy gut is your gut microbiome. You have probably heard the word microbiome many times on television especially in commercials for popular probiotic drinks. 

The gut microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, that live in the gastrointestinal tract, specifically the large intestine. It is a complex and diverse ecosystem that plays a crucial role in maintaining our health.

These trillions of micro-organisms, collectively known as gut flora or gut bacteria have a symbiotic relationship with our bodies, meaning they benefit from the environment within our gut, and in turn, they contribute to our overall well-being so despite sounding a bit yucky, they can very much be the good guys!

Here are 7 reasons why your gut health is so important to you:

1 - Digestion and Your Nutrient Absorption:

Probably the most obvious one is that the gut, specifically the small intestine, is responsible for breaking down and absorbing of nutrients from the food we eat. A healthy gut ensures efficient digestion and absorption of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates). All of these are necessary for optimal bodily functions.

Think if your gut as the fuel tank for your body – if you give it the wrong, or poor-quality foods (the fuel) then your body (the engine) will not work at peak performance and over time, problems will occur. Feed your body with the right kinds of nutrients and you will likely enjoy a better quality of life (your journey) and achieve a higher life expectancy (to complete the auto analogies – a better mileage!)

2 - Your Immune System:

Did you know that approximately 70% to 80% of our immune system is located in the gut.

A healthy gut helps maintain a balanced immune system and response, protecting us against harmful pathogens, toxins, and foreign invaders. It supports the production of antibodies and immune cells that fight off infections and keep us healthy. It goes without saying then that a healthy gut and microbiome will help support a healthy immune system.

3 - Your Mental Health and Brain Function:

The gut and the brain communicate through what’s called the ‘gut-brain axis’. Research suggests that the gut microbiota (the trillions of microbes residing in the gut) influence brain function and mental health. An imbalanced gut microbiota has been associated with conditions like anxiety, depression, and even neurodegenerative diseases. Maintaining a healthy gut can positively impact mood, cognition, and overall mental well-being.

4 - Inflammation in Your Body and Chronic Disease:

An unhealthy gut can lead to chronic low-grade inflammation, which has been linked to various chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer. A balanced gut microbiota helps regulate immune responses and reduce inflammation, which is critical for preventing and managing these long term generated conditions.

5 - Your Hormonal Balance:

The gut microbiota can influence the metabolism and elimination of hormones in the body. Imbalances in gut bacteria have been associated with hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and may impact reproductive health, thyroid function, and other hormonal systems.

6 - Your Skin Health:

The ‘gut-skin axis’ describes the connection between gut health and the health of our skin. Imbalances in the gut microbiota can contribute to skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and rosacea. A healthy gut supports proper digestion and absorption of nutrients that are essential for maintaining skin health and reducing inflammation.

7 - Your Weight Management:

The gut microbiota plays a role in metabolism and energy balance. Imbalances in gut bacteria have been associated with obesity and difficulties in weight management. A healthy gut helps regulate appetite, nutrient absorption, and energy utilisation, contributing to maintaining a healthy weight.

So how can you improve your gut health?

To promote a healthy gut, it is important to maintain a balanced and diverse gut microbiota.

This can be achieved through a nutritious and varied diet, rich in fibre, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fermented foods, as well as by managing stress levels, getting regular exercise, and avoiding excessive use of antibiotics or other medications that can disrupt the gut microbiota.

However, in today’s busy, on-the-go lifestyles and with supermarket shelves packed full with tempting and convenient processed foods, it is not surprising that many of us just don’t have the time to give our bodies a balanced and nutritious diet. Couple this is today’s more intensive farming and agriculture. 

It is a powerful mix that contributes to foods with a lower nutritional value and therefore a poor diet for many. This is where good supplementation can help – in particular supplements that can promote a healthy microbiome and there support good gut health. 

There are lots of products out there but the one I have used for a few years and absolutely recommend is Arbonne’s Gut Health Digestion & Microbiome Support drink. 

Designed to support the benefits of a healthy diet, this daily powder-based food supplement mixes easily with water and contains an efficacious blend of Bacillus coagulans bacteria, botanicals and enzymes to help support normal digestion.

Its ingredients include; Chicory Root and 3 billion CFU of beneficial bacteria bacillus coagulans plus enzymes that support the digestive system to function normally. 

I love that it is formulated without artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, dairy, or soy – so it has a very low allergenic profile and well-tolerated.

One box contains 30 stick packs and each makes up a daily drink to support your gut.

For more details of this product that has helped me support my gut health for the last five years click on the link below, the scroll down and be sure to enter discount code ARBONNE10 to receive a special 10% DISCOUNT in your cart if you choose to purchase it.

CLICK HERE TO BUY PRODUCT WITH DISCOUNT

As a 43-year old brand, Arbonne ticks all the boxes for me in terms of ethics because all the products are clean, vegan-certified, cruelty-free and is a B-Corp certified company. B-Corporations are businesses that are verified to meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance people and the planet and not just profit and this really speaks to me in terms of how I like business to benefit the customers and communities they serve.

Final Words

In closing, as you can see, there is something simple that we can do for ourselves on a day-to-day basis that can support our gut health and help us improve the 7 areas outlined above. Good gut health can have a hugely positive effect on our body and with an ever-increasing strain on our health system, taking control of our own general health and wellness has never been more important.