Gut Health 101: Where it all begins...and ends.

by Mother Nature's Best Market Apr 13, 2021

Have you ever heard of probiotics or prebiotics but never really knew what they were or what they did? Well, say less! There are numerous benefits that probiotics and prebiotics can provide for you, especially when it comes to your gut health. Your body is loaded with bacteria, viruses and fungi that make up your microbiome (AKA gut health).

Although some may think that this is bad, these trillions of bacteria in your gut help aid in digestive health and metabolism, regulate the immune system, protect against diseases, affect the central nervous system and brain health, and produce vitamins like B12, B, thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin K. Needless to say it would be pretty difficult to survive without the gut microbiome. So, how do you keep your gut microbiome healthy and what are the benefits in doing this?

Eat Probiotic Foods or Take a Good Probiotic Supplement

There are good and bad bacteria that live inside your gut, and when you get an infection, this causes more bad bacteria to be present that will cause an imbalance in your body. Supplying more good bacteria can help get rid of the extra bad bacteria and bring your gut back to a healthy and balanced state. For most people, a probiotic supplement is needed due to modern lifestyles or possible diseases. One great way to supply more good bacteria for your microbiome is through taking probiotics that can survive through your gut naturally. Taking a probiotic supplement can always be beneficial, but not all of them are the same and can provide different benefits depending on your body’s needs. If you are wanting to try a probiotic supplement out, here are a few supplements that we recommend from our market:

A Healthy Gut Also Starts with Prebiotics

Prebiotics are also essential in maintaining a healthy gut and play as a food (or dietary fiber) for those good bacteria in your body to continue to thrive. Luckily the digestive system can’t also break down prebiotics, so they survive and live in the gut where the good bacteria can essentially break it down. Not only can you take supplements for this, but you can eat a good amount of probiotic-rich foods or foods that promote good bacteria growth. Some foods that are beneficial to us include:

Yogurt
Beans/Legumes
Fiber-rich foods (Vegetables, fruit and whole grains)
Potatoes
Bananas
Kombucha
Tempeh
Sauerkraut
Kefir
Kimchi
Buttermilk
Miso
Pickles

Overall, prebiotics are a friend to your gut and help promote good bacteria to keep your microbiome happy and healthy. They will help promote production in nutrients produced by good bacteria that will lead to a healthier digestive system.

What are some Benefits of a Healthy Gut?

As mentioned above, there are numerous health benefits to maintaining a healthy gut. It can contribute to a healthy immune system, heart health, brain health, and digestion. Not only does it help your bodily systems stay healthy, but it also can greatly play a part in your emotional and mental health.

A balanced microbiome can improve your overall mood due to the activity of your gut bacteria and how it is connected to the brain. The reason that these two are linked is due to being connected by the vagus nerve, a major component of the autonomic nervous system. This nerve can send your brain messages, which can enable it to affect how you handle stress, anxiety, and depression which in the end also significantly affects your digestion.

What are the Signs of an unhealthy Gut?

Having a constant Upset stomach
A high sugar diet
Unintentional weight changes
Trouble sleeping or constant fatigue
Skin irritations
Autoimmune conditions
Food Intolerances
Sugar cravings
Mood swings
Anxiety & Stress

What are Other Ways to Improve Gut Health?

Other ways you can improve the state of your gut health is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and eat healthy foods. When you practice daily self-care such as getting good sleep, exercising, eating fiber rich foods and probiotics, maintain stress levels, and drink plenty of water, you are constantly promoting a healthy gut and life. Not only will your gut continue to thank you, but you will see your life transform as your body and mental health also improve with it. The gut microbiome affects more than you think, so keep showing yourself love daily!

References:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-gut-bacteria-improve-your-health

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#TOC_TITLE_HDR_10

Tags: chemical free, gut health, health, healthy, immune support, immunity, moms, mother nature's best market, prebiotic, probiotic, self care, supplements