Is your GUT healthy?
Foundational health principle: Nutrition
Part 1: In The Healthy Gastrointestinal System Series
Microbiome
These days most people have heard the term “Gut microbiome” but what is it? It refers to the 200+ species of microorganisms living in your intestines. They include bacteria, viruses and fungi. Some of them are necessary for a healthy body and some of them are harmful. Having a large variety of microorganisms in your intestines can be helpful to overall health and wellbeing.
Why is the microbiome important to your health?
A healthy microbiome / digestive system is really important as it is linked to many other systems and functions in your body.
There are many studies showing that gut health is linked to:
- Gastrointestinal disorders – inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome
- Immune system health
- Mental health
- Endocrine disorders
- Cardiovascular disease
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cancer
What are the signs of an unhealthy gastrointestinal system?
- Gastrointestinal signs
- Gas
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Heartburn
- Unintentional weight changes
- An imbalanced gut can impair absorption of nutrients and disrupt blood sugar regulation
- Weight loss may be due to malabsorption
- Weight gain may be due to insulin resistance or increased inflammation
- Sleep disturbance or constant fatigue
- Some research shows that imbalanced gut bacteria my disturb sleep which can lead to chronic fatigue
- May be linked to inflammation, impaired metabolic function and mental health
- Skin conditions
- Can be related to the types of bacteria in the gut
- Lower concentrations of beneficial bacteria may affect the immune system
- The skin is one of the main detoxification pathways so if the gut is not balanced it can affect the skin
- Autoimmune disorders
- These are conditions where the body doesn’t recognise its own cells, so it attacks them
- Many studies have found connections between the gut and the immune system
- An unhealthy gut may lead to increased inflammation and alter the functioning of the immune system leading it to attack the body’s own cells
- Food intolerances
- Result from difficulty digesting certain foods
- Symptoms include bloating, gas, abdominal pain diarrhoea
- A food allergy is an immune response to certain foods which can also be related to gut health
In part 2 of my healthy gastrointestinal system blog, I’ll explain what triggers an unhealthy gastrointestinal system.
Yours in good health
Brad Corbett
Osteopath
Personal trainer
Holistic exercise & lifestyle coach