Go With Your Gut!

By Lauren Martyn

It’s not news that your gastrointestinal tract, more commonly known as your “gut,” plays an important role in your overall health. About 70% of your body’s immune system cells lay along the digestive tract, and good gut-health has been linked to the health of just about every other organ in your body. However, the link between gut-health and your mental-health and well-being is something that is often overlooked. 

Without a doubt, the gut-brain connection is both real and significant, affecting much more than just how we digest our food. The bacteria in your gut is responsible for producing hundreds of chemicals to your brain, signaling to the brain to regulate hormones and basic mood processes. In fact, about 95% of your body’s supply of serotonin comes from the signals produced by your gut bacteria! Along with mood signals, your gut can also play a role in the appearance of your skin. Due to the gut’s regulation of hormones, an unhealthy gut can lead to inflammation and significantly impact the complexion of your skin. Basically your gut is like the control center for all of the operating systems in your body. Amazing, right? With this, it is so important to take care of your gut-health to ensure your body is functioning at optimal conditions. 

Some signs you may have an unbalanced gut include chronic stomach issues, poor sleep quality, irritated skin, or food intolerances. Having an unbalanced gut can affect your life in so many aspects, but there is no need to worry! With just a few simple lifestyle changes, your health can be significantly turned around.

Several ways to support your gut-health include drinking enough water, developing a consistent sleep schedule, staying calm and keeping your cortisol levels in check, taking a daily probiotic, avoiding overly-processed foods, and last but certainly not least, having a diet with a wide variety of pre- and probiotic rich foods. Vegetables, healthy fats and protein, and high-fiber food can help repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria and guarantee your mood is elated and your skin is glowing!