Your Gut and Your Health

Bottom Line:

Bacteria is something we are trained to from childhood, but the truth is that our bodies are filled with trillions of bacteria that help play an essential role in our digestive processes and much more. Researchers have recently discovered that the types and amounts of bacteria in your gut is actually linked to your likelihood of developing diabetes, obesity, depression, and even cancer. So, it would appear that our digestive health isn’t just about what we put into our mouths, but is a critical factor in our overall health and well-being.

Why it Matters:

There are hundreds of different types of bacteria in your gut that line your entire digestive system and continuously interact with your nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. Believe it or not, these small bacteria can impact everything from your mood to the strength of your immune system! But they also are responsible for how efficiently your body is able to process the foods you eat. Imbalances in your gut bacteria can slow down your metabolism and even lead to metabolic syndrome, which is a precursor to diabetes.

- You have a unique combination of bacteria in your gut. It is specific to you, just like your fingerprint.

- A gut with too much or too little bacteria can cause a variety of health problems including constipation, irritable bowel, or metabolic syndrome.

- A healthy diet and active lifestyle can dramatically improve the overall health of your gut.

Next Steps:

Body signals such as constipation, irritable bowel, or even mood swings can be signs of an imbalanced gut. If you have been suffering from any of these symptoms, please let us know. We’re aware of the impact those body signals can have on your daily life. Our team has helped guide hundreds of people to better gut health, and we would be happy to see if we could also help you!

Science Source:

Gut Bacteria in Health and Disease. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013

Healthline. 10 Ways to Improve Your Gut Bacteria. 2016

What is Leaky Gut?

Bottom Line:

Leaky gut has been getting a lot of publicity over the past year, but what is it? Researchers have theorized that leaky gut is when partially digested protein and fat seep out of your digestive system and cause inflammation in your body. The inflammation, or allergic response, can lead to bloating, thyroid issues, fatigue, joint pain, digestive issues, food sensitivities, and a host of other unpleasant symptoms. As a matter of fact, one of the primary signs of leaky gut is experiencing multiple food sensitivities.

Why it Matters:

No one wants to deal with bloating, fatigue or food sensitivities, but the real reason leaky gut has become such a problem is that if left untreated, it has the potential to develop into inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and even chronic fatigue syndrome. Eating lectin, gluten, and sugar have been identified as the three primary factors in developing a leaky gut. All three of these substances can affect the bacteria in your gut, promote inflammation in your intestines, and even lead to micro-tears that cause leaky gut.

- Leaky gut is a condition affecting millions of people and can result in bloating, fatigue, joint pain, and food sensitivities.

- Lectin, gluten, and sugar all contribute to the inflammation process that can lead to leaky gut.

- Removing the foods that cause leaky and rebalancing your gut bacteria can make a massive impact on your overall health.

Next Steps:

If you want to learn more about leaky gut, and what you can do to prevent it, I invite you to join us for our upcoming complimentary “Eliminate Digestive Issues” workshop. This workshop is completely free to attend and packed with information to help you improve your gut health.

Science Source:

WebMD. Defining Leaky Gut Syndrome. 2018

Harvard Health. Leaky gut: What is it, and what does it mean for you? 2018

The Gut/Brain Connection

Bottom Line:

If you have ever had “butterflies” or have been stressed to the point of your stomach hurting, you’ve experienced the gut/brain connection firsthand. Even the thought of food can activate your digestive system because it’s intimately connected with your brain and central nervous system. They are in constant communication, sending messages back and forth. So not only can stress make your stomach hurt, but your stomach hurting can actually stress you out!

Why it Matters:

Researchers have discovered that people with digestive issues may actually experience pain more acutely due to the sensitivity in their gut. Any added stress can cause this pain to seem even more intense. Some of the most common gut and digestive system issues related to stress are heartburn, abdominal cramping, and bloating. The good news is, researchers also found that people who were able to reduce stress have seen significant improvement in their digestive complaints.

- Your brain and gut are continually communicating, with your mood affecting your gut and your gut affecting your mood.

- Digestive issues like heartburn, abdominal cramps, and bloating can all occur due to stress.

- Reducing daily stress has been shown to improve many of those digestive issues significantly.

Next Steps:

Gut and digestive issues can place a tremendous amount of stress on your daily life. By reducing your stress with a combination of exercise, diet, and Chiropractic care, you give your gut the best opportunity to stay balanced and happy. If you have any questions about your gut health, let us know! We’re happy to help you find a natural solution!

Science Source:

Harvard Health Publishing. Healthbeat. 2018

Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Gut-Brain Connection. 2018

How Digestion Works

Bottom Line:

Our modern diet and lifestyle have been linked to a variety of digestive issues. The overall health of your digestive system is closely tied to the food you eat, the exercise you get, and your overall stress levels.

Your digestive system is a group of organs that take the food you eat and turn it into energy and nutrients for your body. The digestive system interacts with your nervous systems, immune system, endocrine system, and others to help regulate its function.

Why it Matters:

Perhaps what’s most interesting about digestion is that it actually starts in your brain! Your hypothalamus coordinates your appetite and how much food you eat. For example, if you are tired or are stressed out, the chemicals in your brain may influence you to eat more than usual in an attempt to find balance. We call this, you guessed it, “cravings.”

- Your digestive system is a complex network of organs, systems, tissues, and nerves controlled by your brain.

- Turning the food you eat into fuel for your body is the primary job of your digestive system.

- You can get rid of your food cravings by getting regular exercise and reducing your overall stress.

Next Steps:

Understanding that cravings are caused by a variety of physiological factors, and not just willpower, is the first step to controlling them. The next step is making a decision on which factors you want to impact this week - maybe it’s beginning a new exercise routine or finding ways to reduce daily stress in your life. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you are able to take control of your cravings by making a few smart decisions with your lifestyle!

Science Source:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Your Digestive System & How it Works. 2018

Mayo Clinic. See How Your Digestive System Works. 2018