The Importance of Understanding Gut Health for Overall Wellbeing

Research conducted by the Institut Public de Sondage d’Opinion Secteur on behalf of Medical Doctor Value in Prevention found that many Americans are unsure of whether gut health is a fad, and many are ignorant about the side effects of having bad gut health.

A snippet of the findings showed that seven in 10 Americans rate their overall health and well being as excellent or good. Sixty-nine percent of Americans aged 45-64 rate their digestive health as good or excellent, compared to 74% of those aged 65+, and 60% of those aged 18-44. 

In an effort to help readers understand and feel more in control of their gut health, this article will guide you through the basics. 

What is “Gut Health”? 

Gut health is the balance between the good and bad bacteria in your digestive system, and forms the foundation of your overall health. 

It is believed that there are trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses in your body. These are known as the microbiome or the gut flora. 

The majority of the bacteria in your body are extremely important for your heart, weight, and immune system. For this reason, gut health must remain an important subject amongst not only the general public, but also healthcare workers and individuals enrolled in online nurse educator programs, as this will help keep their patients abreast of the significance of taking good care of their gut health. 

How Does Gut Health Affect Overall Wellbeing? 

Scientific research over the past decade has found that gut health is linked to mental health disorders, autoimmune diseases, endocrine conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. 

Several signs indicate that your gut health is not good:

Stomach problems

Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and gas are very apparent signs that your gut health is not as good as it is supposed to be. 

A healthy gut will process food and eliminate waste more efficiently, thus leading to less stomach problems. 

Abrupt change in weight

A sudden gain or loss in weight without changing your diet or any physical activity is a great indicator of bad gut health. 

A not-so-healthy gut impairs the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, regulate blood sugar, and store fat. 

Lack of sleep

When the microbiomes in the gut are imbalanced, it leads to a shorter sleep duration which causes fatigue. 

Psoriasis 

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes flaky patches of skin, that forms silvery-white or gray scales over time. Gut issues can actually trigger psoriasis, as an inflammatory response.

How Can You Improve Your Gut Health? 

Improving your gut health involves a mixture of strategies, mostly involving making lifestyle changes in your day-to-day:

Lower your stress levels 

Indulging yourself in meditating, walking, spending time with friends or family, diffusing essential oils, limiting alcohol intake, laughing a lot, practicing yoga, and spending time with a pet are beneficial in reducing stress levels. Reduced stress levels are known for having a positive effect on our gut health. 

Get enough rest 

Different people’s needs for sleep and rest can differ slightly. It’s important to understand how much sleep you need, and ensure that the sleep you get is quality rest. Most adults need between seven and ten hours of sleep each night. 

Consume a healthy diet 

A diet high in vegetables and fruit is typically very high in polyphenols which positively impact your gut. High-fiber foods, garlic, fermented foods, and collagen-boosting foods are equally important. Too much sugar, particularly processed sugar, can have a negative affect on your gut health. Water intake is also incredibly important.

Consider a prebiotic or probiotic supplement to your diet

Prebiotics are important to boost the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, while probiotics are live bacteria that have positive effects on your gut and body in general. Supplements could be very beneficial to maintaining your gut health, but remember that everybody is different, and it’s important to talk to a health care professional before starting new medications, supplements, or making major changes to your diet. 

Gut health is a crucial factor in our overall well being, and should be a priority for everyone. Remember the signs of poor gut health, and if you experience any of them, talk to your doctor. Even if you don’t have signs of poor gut health, it’s important to prioritize the healthy habits listed above, and keep your health on track.