How Gut Health Impacts Your Life

Apr 17, 2020

Some may be aware that it’s good to have a healthy gut, but they may not be aware just how vital it can be to supporting the rest of their overall health. Not only can the health of your gut have an impact on how you feel physically, but it can affect things like mood and brain function, too. Because of this, taking steps to ensure that your gut is healthy and balanced can be a big component of living a healthy lifestyle. If you’re looking for some ways to support your gut, here are a few things to consider.

Gut Health Basics

The gut, and gut health, are terms that refer to your digestive tract, and the many microorganisms that live within it. These microorganisms come in different forms, some of them are kinds of bacteria, and others yeast. Sometimes they are also referred to as microbiomes, or gut flora. While bacteria and yeast may not sound like things that you want in your system, the reality is that there are kinds that are healthy for you to have. However, there are kinds of bacterias and yeasts that can be harmful when they multiply, so keeping them balanced can be important.

Supplements for Gut Health

One way that you can help to look after gut health is by taking supplements that support it. One popular type of supplement for gut health is a probiotic, which includes live cultures that are beneficial for your gut. There can be other kinds of supplements that are helpful for the gut and clearing out bad bacteria that contain blends of herbs that support the gut. Because there can be a variety of supplements that are helpful, reading lectin shield reviews and getting an idea of what’s best for you and your body is often a good place to start.

Foods for Gut Health

Along with supplements, there are many foods that help support gut health as well. Many fermented foods, like sauerkraut and kimchi are beneficial for the gut. Similarly, foods like kefir and yogurt that have been fortified with live cultures also tend to be great for the gut. However, along with adding gut supporting foods to your diet, it can be equally as important to cut foods out that can wreak havoc on your digestive system.

Some foods that can do a lot of damage to the balance of your microbiome are sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol. Although it may not be possible to avoid all of these foods altogether, simply reducing your intake can often be helpful.

Workouts for Gut Health

Diet isn’t the only thing that can help with gut health, there are kinds of exercise that can be beneficial for your gut, as well. One of these is yoga. Because yoga tends to involve gentle movement, there are many poses, especially twists and inversions, that can help to stimulate the organs, and the digestive system. By stimulating them, you can increase blood flow and improve their function. Additionally, yoga can help to reduce stress, which can cause problems for your gut.

Reduce Stress for Gut Health

As mentioned above, stress can really throw your gut out of whack, so taking steps to reduce stress can have a significant impact on overall gut health. While it may not always be possible to avoid stress altogether, taking steps to manage it can make a difference. Deep breathing exercises and meditation can be good ways to cut down on stress, and it often only takes as little as 15 to 20 minutes of practice to see some results.

The Bottom Line

While some may be aware that gut health is important, they may not be aware that it can have a major impact on the rest of their overall health, as well. Your gut can impact everything from energy levels, to mood.

The good news is, though, that it doesn’t have to be difficult to look after your gut health. Whether you try a supplement, or take steps to reduce stress, there are many things you can do to help keep your gut on track.