You hear a lot about gut health these days, for good reason. We’re learning so much more all of the time about how our bodies work and many of our body functions are linked to our gut.
What Does Gut Health Really Mean?
Your gut is made up of a microbiome and the gut microbiome is made up of microorganisms living in your intestines. We have 300 to 500 different species of bacteria in our digestive tract!
Why Is It Such a Big Deal?
Below are just some of the symptoms that can be linked to an unhealthy gut.
- Bloating, diarrhea, digestive issues
- Anxiety / depression
- Poor memory
- Skin issues such as rosacea and eczema
- Diabetes
- Food sensitivities
- Autoimmune diseases
- Bad breath
- Poor sleep
- Sugar cravings
What Can I Do About It?
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and think the answer could be in your gut, below are some things you may want to try.
- Take a probiotic – A good probiotic is a must in this World we live in now. Our soil is depleted of the good nutrients we need, our environment isn’t the best and most of us aren’t eating the way we should. A probiotic is going to help you have the good gut bacteria you need. If you have to take an antibiotic you should definitely consider a probiotic to get the good bacteria back.
- Eat whole foods – Ditch the processed foods as much as possible and eat whole foods. Don’t forget about fiber!
- Try digestive enzymes – If your body has a hard time digesting foods, Digestive Enzymes may help. The incomplete or partial digestion of food can lead to uncomfortable side effects such as intestinal gas, bloating, cramping, heartburn, and diarrhea. Digestive Enzymes are a comprehensive blend of enzymes that not only facilitate the digestion of macro nutrients, but also enhance the digestion of hard to digest foods such as dairy, grains, meats and legumes.
- Sleep – It may sound strange, but getting enough sleep has an impact on your gut health.
- Reduce stress – Yes, one more thing stress can do in your body, it can mess with your gut! Taking steps to reduce stress may alleviate your gut issues.
- Check for food intolerance – If you have chronic gut issues and none of the above is helping, it may be time for an elimination diet to determine if you have a food intolerance.
As always, self-care is important. We want to work towards being proactive instead of reactive about our health.
*If you have chronic gut issues or sudden severe pain, it could be the sign of a more serious issue. Please contact your doctor.
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