Gut includes many parts of gastrointestinal tract including stomach, esophagus and intestines. All of these parts work together to make us eat and digest food comfortably. Gut health is important because it is all about function and balance of bacteria of all these parts.
Our gut contains trillions of organisms and collectively these organisms are called as microbiome. Microbiome includes fungi, viruses, bacteria and a myriad of many microscopic organisms. Each of these organisms has a particular role to play including absorption of nutrients and digestion of food.
As long as the microbiome exists in its natural state, you have a healthy gut. The state of our gut affects almost everything from weight to mental health and risk of developing many chronic diseases. These microbes are bigger part of your body beyond your imagination.
Few researches show that 90{c3851e72db8c59172f314c71a8270c8062c295414d5e0a064080f2eb2c184194} of our body’s serotonin (important neurotransmitter) is produced in gut. Serotonin plays a very important role in sleep, mood, memory appetite, temperature regulation and sex drive etc.
An unhealthy gut may cause bad mood, anxiety, brain fog, skin problems (rashes and itchy), abdominal pain, bloating, autoimmune issues, frequent illness, constipation, loose stools, depression, poor sleep, exhaustion, weight gain, headaches and joint pain.
Everything you eat is broken down in the gut that enters into the bloodstream and delivered as nutrients throughout our body. This process is only possible if your gut is healthy. A healthy gut also communicates with brain through hormones and nerves which help maintain a good health.
Gut health is important because of following reasons:
Nutrient absorption: gut health is important for nutrient absorption. Gut controls the amount of vitamins and minerals entering your bloodstream.
Brain health: a healthy gut can protect you from mental issues (depression and anxiety). Microbes present in healthy gut produce Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) which transfers mood improving signals to the brain.
Smooth digestion: gut health is important for regular bowel movements. A healthy gut allows smooth digestion of food and prevents constipation, hernias and some types of cancers.
Hormonal balance: due to bacteria diversity, gut can secrete many hormones and hormone precursors. Your gut also assists in the detoxification of hormones.
Weight balance: healthy gut means healthy weight and unhealthy gut means stored fat (unhealthy weight). Your gut also regulates insulin sensitivity.
Prevent autoimmune diseases: a healthy gut can help relieve the symptoms of autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, type1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis). An autoimmune disease occur when your immune system recognize a normal molecule as harmful particle and start taking actions.
Healthy heart: gut health is important to keep your heart healthy. Studies show that a healthy gut positively influence high cholesterol, chronic inflammation and high blood pressure contributing to a healthy heart.
Gut can be considered as second brain as it is linked to digestive, mental and immune health. Gut health plays an integral role in maintaining overall health of our body. If you want to stay happy and healthy, it is important to understand the importance of gut health and to pay attention to your gut health.
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