How Your Gut Health Affects The Rest of Your Body

You’ve probably heard about the importance of maintaining good gut bacteria, but you may not know why it’s so important, or how to improve gut health in the most effective manner. 

Not just responsible for digestion, the health of your digestive tract influences every single part of your body. Poor gut health can lead to many physical and mental health issues. While you may think of probiotics and prebiotics as just a helpful boost, they could in fact correct and prevent significant health issues in your life. Here are some ways that gut health impacts the rest of your body, as well as some tips to improve gut health.

It affects your digestion

The digestive tract is responsible for absorbing nutrients from your food, and it does so through the use of good and bad bacteria that exist as part of your gut microbiome. 

The good bacteria are responsible for breaking down fibre, and the bad work on processed food and sugar. Despite both types being necessary, not having enough good bacteria causes an imbalance. When there is an excess of bad bacteria, it can cause health problems, including digestive disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Leaky Gut, Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.

If fibre isn’t broken down, nutrients, vitamins and minerals cannot be properly absorbed, and the body does not receive all the compounds it needs to function correctly. The increased inflammation caused by excessive bad bacteria - as well as its impact on hunger hormones - can also play a monumental role in unnecessary weight gain, or an inability to lose weight. Your Organs

Recent research indicates a link between changes in gut bacteria and conditions like higher blood pressure, higher cholesterol and even heart disease. Evidence suggests that too much TMAO (a substance made by certain bacteria when you consume meat or eggs) can lead to cholesterol build-up and kidney disease. 

And when it comes to one of the most significant organs, the brain, there are strong links between a healthy gut and a healthy mind. The gut is responsible for 90% of the serotonin in our bodies; the chemical responsible for happiness. As a result, any disruption to the gut biome negatively affects mood and mental health. Research suggests too much bad bacteria can adversely affect the ability to process emotion and sensory inputs. 

It causes chronic health conditions

When there is an imbalance in the gut biome, inflammation often results. This and other adverse effects can result in chronic health conditions like migraines, insomnia, diabetes, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, fatigue, weight loss and general inflammation. New research suggests a link between poor gut health and autoimmune conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Dermatitis and even cancer. They also propose that having a healthy gut biome can prevent these diseases.

How to improve your gut health naturally

The science is unmistakable, the more you take care of your gut, the more you take care of your body. 

If you’re wondering how to improve gut health, there are a few natural yet simple ways to go about it. The best way to look after your digestive tract is by eating a wide range of unprocessed food, especially fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Some foods also contain prebiotic and probiotic qualities and are a great way to improve gut health. 

Foods to improve gut health include fermented foods (like sauerkraut, kimchi, and yoghurt), raspberries, bananas and leeks. Another way to ensure the balance is restored and maintained is to take a probiotic or prebiotic like rite Probiotic Gummies - BALANCE. These are specifically designed to clean out your gut, support a healthy ecosystem and contain multiple other naturally-sourced vitamins and minerals that are hand-picked to facilitate restorative digestion. It can be difficult to maintain a perfect gut-healthy diet 100% of the time, and supplements are a great way to boost to nourish your gut daily.