GUT HEALTH- THE ENTIRE HEALTH OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.

If your digestive system is not functioning properly, you will not feel healthy even after consuming healthy food. The digestive system is dependent on GUT HEALTH, which means that your gut health must be healthy.

From the oesophagus to the bowel, gut health covers the health of the entire digestive system — the parts of our body responsible for breaking down our food into individual nutrients we use to run our bodies. Gut health is vital for immune function. In fact, 80% of your immune system is in the gut. This means if your gut isn’t healthy, then your immune system and hormones won’t function, and you will get sick. Gut health is vital for immune function

A healthy gut contributes to:

a strong immune system

heart health

brain health

improved mood

healthy sleep

effective digestion

potential prevention of some cancers and autoimmune diseases

The gut microbiome refers to the microorganisms living in your intestines. Each person has about 200 different species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in their digestive tract. Also, some microorganisms are harmful to our health, but many are incredibly beneficial and even necessary for a healthy body. Having a large variety of bacteria in the gut may help reduce the risk of conditions like diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriatic arthritis.

The gut microbiome is affected by many factors, including diet, environment, antibiotic use, stress, sleep, and genetic

WHY IS GUT HEALTH SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING?

If your gut is imbalanced and your immune system isn’t working properly, your serotonin( acts as a hormone, Serotonin sends signals between your nerve cells. It may help regulate many body functions, including mood, bowel movements, and sleep, among others ) and hormones won’t either, making it more challenging to stay healthy.

As you know, your Gut is the foundation of everything. Your gut is also where your body gets rid of metabolic waste and toxins. However, if you have an unhealthy gut, your body will struggle to rid itself of those toxins. If this occurs, it can cause many issues, including chronic fatigue, chronic illnesses and inflammation throughout the body. That’s why people experience symptoms such as brain fog, diarrhoea, constipation, gas, joint pain, etc

You may not realise it, but the brain is the second gut; therefore, if your gut isn’t working, your brain is struggling too. This communication between the gut and brain is known as the gut-brain axis. Gut bacteria have the power to stimulate the nervous system, sending messages to your brain through the vagus nerve. Plus, microorganisms in the gut release neurotransmitters like serotonin, which can affect your mood.

WHAT IS A HEALTHY GUT OR UNHEALTHY GUT?

UNHEALTHY GUTS

High-stress levels and too little sleep, eating a Western diet high in processed and high-sugar foods, taking antibiotics and Skin Issues.

upset stomach and tired more than usual

Gas, Bloating and Other Stomach Issues.

Unintentional Weight Fluctuations

Moodiness, Irritability and Trouble With Concentration

This in turn may affect other aspects of your health, such as:-immune function, hormone levels, weight, development of diseases

HEALTHY GUTS

Consistent energy.

Healthy reactions to food and stress

Healthy bowel transit time.

A normal amount of gas and bloating.

Regular and pain-free bowel movements

Being able to pass a stool comfortably

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR GUT HEALTH

You have to change your lifestyle and diet changes like

Lower your stress level, like you can do Meditation, walking, laughing, hanging out with your friends and family, doing yoga, doing exercises etc.

Eat slowly. Chewing your food thoroughly and eating your meals more slowly may lower your chances of developing obesity and diabetes while also helping you make better food choices.

Get enough sleep, at least 7-8 hours. Not getting enough or sufficient quality of sleep may have serious impacts on your gut health, which can, in turn, contribute to more sleep issues.

Stay hydrated; staying hydrated benefits your health overall and can help prevent constipation. It may also be a simple way to promote a healthy gut.

Check your food intolerances such as bloating, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhoea, fatigue, and nausea.

Diet changes like reducing high artificial sugar intake, intake of green food like vegetables and fruits, and fibre.

WHAT TO EAT TO HEAL YOUR GUT

Eating more green food including fibre like green vegetables and fruits, can help to improve your gut.

Also, intermittent fasting may benefit your gut health and boost your gut microbiome, the trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in your gut. Intermittent fasting is an approach to eating where you switch between periods of fasting and eating as normal.

HIGH FIBRE FOOD

legumes, like black beans and chickpeas

vegetables, like broccoli and asparagus

whole grains, like oats and quinoa

nuts, like almonds and pistachios

fruits, like apples and peaches

COLLAGEN BOOSTING FOOD

citrus fruits, broccoli, meat, eggs and nuts.

WHICH DRINK IS GOOD TO IMPROVE GUT HEALTH?

water

Ginger Tea. Drinking warm ginger tea just before or during a big meal may improve digestive health and prevent heartburn, stomachache and indigestion. ...

Lemongrass Tea. ...

Peppermint tea. ...

Fennel tea. ...

AYURVEDIC RECIPES FOR ENRICHING THE GUT MICROBIOME

Ayurvedic Herbs for Gut Health:

Triphala, Fenugreek, Cardamom (Elaichi), Ginger (Adrak), Turmeric (Haldi), Clove (Laung), Cinnamon, Black Pepper.

Puree together mint leaves, ginger, and coriander leaves and mix with the yoghurt and water.

Now blend the pureed herbs, Himalayan salt, cumin powder, ground black pepper and cold water, until frothy.

Garnish with cumin powder and mint leaves and serve.

NOTES

Your doctor may suggest faecal testing to help diagnose certain gut issues, such as infections or gastritis. also, stool testing can tell about your gut health.

To heal your gut health, it takes up to 6 months to follow the proper diet and healthy lifestyle

THANK YOU