Gut Health is a vital component of overall good health. When your Gut is healthy, it allows your digestive tract to break food down into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the blood and then transported throughout the body for the cells to use for energy, growth, and repair.
The Gut is also home to over 100 million nerves that comprise the enteric nervous system, a network that governs digestion and elimination. These nerves connect your digestive tract with the brain in your central nervous system, relaying gut health and signaling when to digest and eliminate.
You can improve your gut health by:
I was eating a variety of whole, plant-based foods. These include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds; whole grains; and fish, poultry, and lean meats.
Avoiding sugar, dairy, alcohol, and processed foods will also help maintain a healthy gut. The same is valid for preventing antibiotics, which have been linked to gut health issues in many studies.
Probiotics are another essential element of a healthy gut microbiome. They promote a healthy immune system and support digestive functions such as digestion, absorption of nutrients, and protection against pathogens.
You can get probiotics from fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, as well as certain supplements. Talk to your doctor before taking a supplement, and always check with them about the proper dosage for you.
The Gut is a “second brain” that communicates with the central nervous system and can produce neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin, that can impact mood and mental health. The link between the Gut and the brain is now being studied in thousands of published studies.
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