Your digestive system – aka the gut – plays a crucial role in your overall health. It processes every bit of food you eat, helps keep your immune system functioning correctly, and helps ward off disease.
Microscopic creatures, most bacteria, populate the lining of your gut. These bacteria help you digest food, communicate with your immune system and prevent inflammation.
These are called your microbiome, and each has a unique one. Healthy people have a healthy microbiome and are less likely to develop the disease.
When your microbiome is out of balance, it can sabotage your immune system and cause health problems. The good news is that various ways to keep your microbiome in check exist.
Avoiding certain foods is a great place to start, especially those that increase the number of pro-inflammatory bacteria in your gut. These include animal products (red meat, dairy, and processed meat), sugar, fried foods, and alcohol.
Eating a high-fiber diet can also help your gut health by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria. It’s also important to chew your food thoroughly and eat it slowly so that your body can absorb nutrients.
Stress is another major contributor to gut issues, so finding ways to manage and reduce stress is essential. This can be as simple as going to bed earlier, walking after lunch, or talking with a therapist.
If you’re experiencing chronic digestive problems or are unsure about your gut health, book an appointment with your doctor. They can perform a stool test to measure your gut’s health.
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