Illustration of a person’s gut microbiome

General Health

Why Having a Healthy Gut Is Important

Having good gut health is not just for your digestion! Gut health is related to many bodily functions like immunity, mental health, and more.

Medically Inspected by: Glaiza Madulara, M.D.

Gut health plays a significant role in many of the body’s functions. Aside from your digestive system, your gut health can also affect your immunity, nervous system, and even your metabolism.

Read on to learn more about gut health, the gut microbiome, and things you can do to help keep the gut healthy.

What is the gut microbiome and why is it important?

We cannot talk about the meaning of gut health without talking about the gut microbiome. Your gut, which includes the stomach, intestines, and colon, is home to a community of bacteria and other microorganisms. This community is collectively called the gut microbiome.

A healthy gut is when the gut microbiome has a thriving community of beneficial microorganisms. Eating probiotic foods or foods that contain live microorganisms such as yogurt, or certain supplements, can help your gut microbiome since these increase the population of beneficial microorganisms in the gut.

Your gut health and you

The relationship between gut health and the rest of the body is complex; researchers and scientists are still trying to unravel the secrets of how the gut plays a role in a number of the body’s processes.

So far, scientists have found links between gut health and the following:

Immunity - studies have found certain beneficial microorganisms linked to high levels of immune cells.
Type 2 diabetes - Changes in the gut microbiome could increase a person’s risk for type 2 diabetes.
Gastrointestinal disorders - An imbalance in gut microorganisms could cause gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.
Cardiovascular disease - Dysbiosis, or an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Gastrointestinal cancer - Some types of bacteria found in the gut have been found to be carcinogens or can cause cancer in humans.
Sleep - A study has found that more diverse gut biomes might be linked to better sleep.
Mental health - An abundance of certain beneficial microorganisms have been linked to positive mental health.

If the gut health is affected, then it can lead to other health problems.

Signs of an unhealthy gut

Identifying the signs and symptoms of an unhealthy gut can be tricky since they can be mistaken for something else. But here are the things you need to look out for:

Digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, or constipation
Difficulty sleeping
Sugar cravings
Unexplained fatigue or sluggishness
Unexplained depression or anxiety
Sudden and unexplained weight gain or weight loss

If you are experiencing these symptoms, you might need to take steps towards having better gut health.

Causes of an unhealthy gut

Several factors play a role in your gut microbiome’s health. Here are some possible reasons why you might have an unhealthy gut:

Too much stress
Lack of sleep
Sedentary lifestyle
Food intolerance
Consuming too many ultra-processed foods and sugar
Not drinking enough water
Smoking

If you feel that you might have problems with your gut, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about it. They would best be able to help you sort out what is causing your problems and what steps you can take to mitigate those concerns

However, there are also some things that you can proactively do to maintain a healthy gut.

What you can do about it

Knowing how to improve gut health is important for your overall health and well-being. Here are some important things to remember:

Eat the right foods – A high-fiber diet coupled with fermented foods is a great way to improve gut health.
Engage in regular exercise – Exercise helps keep your body strong, and your weight at a healthy range, and reduces the risk of developing digestive problems.
Drink tea or coffee – Tea and coffee are rich in polyphenols, or plant compounds that increase beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Take probiotic supplements – Probiotic supplements are a great way of introducing good bacteria into your gut microbiome. These may also help with diarrhea since probiotics can help suppress harmful bacteria that can cause the condition.

A healthy gut is crucial to your overall health. By keeping your gut microbiome healthy, you can support your body’s overall health and keep yourself in tip-top shape.

General disclaimer

Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reactions, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov and UNILAB Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.

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