Do you know what the importance of gut health is in your overall health? With the passage of time as medical science progresses it is clearly shown that there is a direct connection between gut health and your overall health. The research has shown that if you want to be physically fit and mentally strong then it is crucial to to maintain a healthy gut. This comprehensive article is all about. Here in this article we will explore why gut health is so important for your overall well-being. You’ll find a lot of information about those factors that influence its performance and capabilities. At the end we will suggest important steps in order to improve your gut health just right now.
What is Gut Health?
The important thing here is to understand what actually gut means. In Medical terms it is also called gastrointestinal tract. You will be surprised to know that trillions of microorganisms live in the gut. These uncountable microorganisms are collectively called gut microbiomes. There is actually a purpose of these microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Each microbe has special duties to perform including digestion, immune response, absorption of the nutrients and also mental health. The common microorganisms that most people have heard their names are viruses, bacteria, fungi and so on. But remember there are trillions of microorganisms and most of the people don’t even hear their names in their life.
The important understanding here is that among these trillions of microorganisms, there are both beneficial and harmful microorganisms. So it is very critical that they perform their duties in a balanced way and don’t interfere with others. Now due to some medical disorders sometimes this balance actually disturbs. When this happens it can create different types of health issues. Most discussing health issues can be digestive disorders, weak immune systems and also mental health issues.
The Gut Brain Connection
Due to the advancement in medical science and research it is discovered that there is actually a connection between gut and brain. This is a two way communication network that is called the gut brain axis. This communication network connects emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions. In most simple words we can say that the health of the gut influences your behavior, mood and mental health.
Medical research clearly has shown that mental health issues arise due to the imbalance of gut microbiome. Depression, anxiety and stress are one of the common examples of mental health issues in this case. This actually shows how important gut health is? It is not only necessary for your Physical health but also important in order to maintain a fit and balanced mind.
Factors Affecting Gut Health
This part of the article is very important. Here we will talk about those factors that affect your gut health. There are factors that are responsible for influencing the balance of the gut microbiome. Let’s have a look.
Diet
Diet is one of the major factors not only in case of gut health but also for your overall health. The food that you eat actually decides the composition of your gut health. Most of us are very fond of eating those foods that are processed and containing unhealthy fats. These types of food are really havoc for gut health. On the other hand those foods or diets which consist of fruit, vegetables and rich in lean protein and fiber or fermented foods are helpful in order to promote healthy balance of microorganisms in the gut.
Antibiotics
You will be surprised to know that antibiotics are essential in order to treat bacterial infection but they can be the biggest disaster for gut health as it can kill both harmful and useful bacteria. So it becomes very crucial to use antibiotics with much care and obtain proper guidance. It is better to use probiotics in order to restore gut health after the end of antibiotic course.
Stress
As we have mentioned so many times in our previous article, stress is not good for your overall health. Same is the case here. Stress, especially chronic stress, can impact your gut health negatively. It becomes crucial to minimize these effects in order to make sure that your gut health never is compromised. For this purpose there are different types of techniques and stress management options that you can adopt. Deep breathing exercises, yoga and mindfulness are one of the common but most important techniques that help to reduce stress.
Sleeping
Sleeping is not only required but quality sleep is really crucial for making sure that it cannot affect the healthy gut. For this purpose it is very important to avoid poor sleeping patrons because sleep disorders can disturb gut microbiome. Consequently it can lead to various health issues. So give importance to your quality sleep.
Exercise
Research has shown that physical activities on a regular basis help to grow useful bacteria. So try to add moderate exercises in your daily routine for making a gut microbiome a healthy one.
Hydration
For digestive health it is critical to get yourself hydrated. Now try to understand the function here when you keep your body hydrated. When you drink plenty of water it helps to maintain the mucus lining of the intestine that is important for the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Healthcare providers suggest that there is a need to drink at least eight glasses of water throughout the day.
How to Boost Your Gut Health
This part of the article is very important because here we will talk about those steps which will be actionable towards boosting your gut health. Let’s have a look.
Adopt a Gut Friendly Diet
Eat a Variety of Foods
In order to maintain a healthy gut microbiome try to eat a variety of foods. It is because when you eat different foods you get different nutrition that will enhance your gut health. Here the meaning of eating different types of foods is to add multiple food items in your diet, for example fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats.
Increase Fiber Intake
It is very important to help useful bacteria to grow. For this purpose, try to consume those food items where you get a lot of fiber. Broccoli, beans, lentils, oats and apples are the best food items in this context.
Consume Fermented Foods
In order to boost a healthy gut microbiome try to consume fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut and kombucha. Why fermented foods are helpful for useful bacteria? It is because fermented foods contain live probiotics. so add these items into your daily eating schedule.
Reduce Eating Processed Foods and Sugars
It is important to consume unprocessed and whole foods instead of processed foods and sugars. Processed foods and adding sugars can harm the balance of good and bad bacteria resulting in different health issues.
Take Probiotics and Prebiotics
Let’s talk about what probiotics and prebiotics are?
Probiotics
Probiotics are basically live useful bacteria. You can consume them through eating probiotic rich foods or supplements. These live beneficial bacteria promote and restore a healthy gut microbiome.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are also important for a balanced gut health. Do you know what prebiotics actually are? They are non digestive fibers that play their part in the growth of gut bacteria by feeding them. Some foods are really powerhouse of the prebiotics like bananas, garlic, onions and asparagus.
Manage Stress
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
You can boost your gut health by managing stress. There are a lot of techniques and strategies that you can apply in order to reduce stress levels. So try to practice mindfulness and meditation. You can consult your professional physician for comprehensive guidance in this context.
Exercise Regularly
There are a lot of ways and means to reduce stress, physical activities are one of them. Try to make sure that you exercise regularly in order to promote gut health.
Relaxation Should Your Priority
In today’s challenging world where almost everybody is facing health issues, it is really important to focus on your health. For this purpose relaxation should be your priority. There are a lot of activities and exercises that are helpful in making you relaxed including reading, spending some time in nature and so on.
Ensure Enough Sleep
Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule
In order to boost your gut health, sleeping is really very important. Try to make a habit to go to bed and wake up at the same time. This schedule must be implemented everyday or even the whole month.
Create a Sleep Friendly Environment
There is actually an atmosphere which is required for quality sleeping. There are some tips that you have to implement before sleeping. Make sure that your bedroom is dark, cool and quiet. It is better to stop doing anything before going to sleep.
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
Before going to bed it is really important to create a sleep atmosphere that promotes sleeping. You can do some activities such as reading a book.
Stay Hydrated
Drink Plenty of Water
If you live our work in that atmosphere which is warm in nature then it becomes crucial for you to take at least eight glasses of water in order to keep you hydrated.
Reduce Taking Sugary and Caffeinated Beverages
Make sure that you are consuming healthy foods and beverages. If you’re fond of sugary and caffeinated beverages then try to reduce their quantity as much as you can. Just make a habit to drink water, herbal teas and many natural items that can keep your body hydrated.
Avoid Unnecessary Antibiotics
Just make sure that you use antibiotics at that time when it is required after the permission from the healthcare provider. If you will not do so and use an extra quantity of antibiotics there are chances to harm your gut microbiome.
Use Probiotics after Antibiotics
If it becomes essential to use antibiotics in order to treat infections then make sure that you must use probiotics after completing the course. It is really important to restore the balance of good and bad microorganisms in your gut.
Stay Active
Regular Exercise
There are certain activities that you can perform like walking, swimming, cycling and yoga on a regular basis. Medical experts suggest that at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise is crucial not only for boosting your gut health but overall health.
Stay Consistent
Consistency is the key to success in every field of life and the same is the case here. Perform physical activities on a regular basis and maintain a healthy gut.
Conclusion
There is actually a connection between gut health and your overall health. In recent times complicated health issues arise a lot as compared to the past. The importance of gut health also increases due to the latest research. It is really important to boost your gut health by following specific strategies and techniques. In order to keep a balance between good and bad bacteria it becomes important to take those steps that are helpful in the cause. There are some factors that can influence gut health such as stress, diet, antibiotics, exercise and hydration. Try to improve these factors for making a suitable atmosphere for a healthy gut microbiome. Just start from small changes in your daily routine because they can have a massive impact on your gut health.