The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates once said, “All disease begins in the gut.”
This proclamation was made over 2000 years ago, yet it is now gaining significant attention. Emerging research is shedding light on the profound connection between gut health and a wide range of diseases, from digestive disorders to autoimmune conditions, mental health issues, and more.
But where is our Gut? The entire digestive tract, from mouth to anus. This includes many organs such as the stomach, small and large intestines, gallbladder, and pancreas. A significant portion of the immune system resides in the gut.
An imbalance in the gut microbiome (a diverse community of bacteria in our body) can:
- compromise immune function, making the body more susceptible to infections and autoimmune diseases
- promote inflammation, contributing to the development and progression of chronic low-level inflammation such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer
- can lead to food allergies, eating disorders, obesity
- may contribute to anxiety, depression, and even neurodegenerative disorders
- can lead to skin dermatitis such as acne and eczema
When there is an imbalance in the gut, it is known as dysbiosis. This can happen if there
- are too many “bad” species
- not enough “good” species
- not enough diversity of species
Once the communication between the gut microbiota and immune cells is disrupted, it can lead to many diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac diseases, obesity, and metabolic disorders.
Gut-brain Connection
Gut-brain connection or gut-brain axis is complex and bidirectional. Signals pass both ways between your digestive system and central nervous system (CNS), health or disease in one can affect the other.
The brain communicates with the body through nerves. Your brain and gut are like besties. The gut is practically like our second brain. More information passes between them than any other body system. There are more nerve cells in the gut than anywhere else in the body outside the brain. Their communication includes hunger and satiety, digestion, mood, stress levels, immunity, behavior, etc. An unhealthy gut may contribute to anxiety, depression, and even neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
The Gut-skin connection
Gut-skin connection is another intriguing area of research. Conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis may be influenced by gut health.
Signs of a healthy gut
- You feel well after eating
- You do not experience acid reflux, bloating, or digestive pain
- Your bowel movements are fully formed, solid, smooth, brown, with no straining.
- You do not notice undigested food, mucus, or blood in your stool
Foods for Gut Health
Dietary Fiber
Dietary Fiber produces high levels of SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids) that help to maintain a healthy intestinal mucosal barrier. Butyrate, a type of SCFA with anti-inflammatory regulates the immune system.
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid
Omega-3 PUFAs can decrease the growth of Enterobacteria, increase the growth of bifidobacteria, and produce anti-inflammatory chemicals called short-chain fatty acids SCFAs.
Importance
Avoid antibiotic overuse. Antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiome.
Chronic stress can also affect gut health.
Heal your gut and you may be able to heal your body.
