All About the Gut
Gut Health: Part 1 of 3
Written by Alysson Bluhm
Edits by Becca Reckmeyer, PN
The terms “gut”, “gut microbiome”, and “probiotics” get thrown around quite frequently in the wellness world, and for good reasons! If you find yourself confused by these terms, and are curious about why they are a hot topic right now, read on.
So what’s the big deal, you say? Your gut essentially influences everything in your being–from your digestion to your immune system to your brain function. Simply put, if your gut is healthy, the rest of your body is humming along to the beat of a joyful song. So let’s make this gut information a little more… digestible, shall we?
What IS the gut?
The gut is where food is digested, metabolized, and absorbed so it can be delivered into the cells for energy usage. We as humans have two interfaces with the world 1) the skin and 2) the digestive tract. Your digestive tract is the “first line of defense” and is exposed to everything you eat and drink. Get this: the total surface area of your gut is about the size of a small studio apartment! You bet it makes a large impact on your body and your overall health.
You are home to trillions of microorganisms (this is your microbiome, and it is unique to you). The majority reside in the gut, which leads us to the next point…
More on the gut microbiome
The “gut microbiome” refers to the bacteria that reside along your gut lining. This good bacteria helps to maintain your gut barrier integrity by making it difficult for inhospitable bacteria to enter. The good bacteria also help maintain a healthy acidic environment, produce neurotransmitters that stimulate intestinal muscle contractions as well as fatty acids to fuel the cells lining your colon.
The integrity of the gut lining can become compromised if it’s constantly exposed to irritants through diet or external environment. Although poor diet is a main contributor to gut imbalance, there are several other factors such as alcohol intake, food sensitivities (even to nutritious foods!), stress, medications, lack of sleep and even travel that can contribute.
Okay, now what?
So how do you know when your gut needs some extra TLC? Be on the lookout for our next blog post covering key indicators of gut imbalance!
[…] importance of the gut and keeping it happy, healthy & nourished! (And if you haven’t, see Part 1.) Now you’re asking, how do I know if it’s not happy? Well, your body is incredible and […]