How Does Gut Health Affect Overall Well-being?
Imagine a day you wake up and you feel quite energetic. You find your skin glowing, your mind concentrating on work and your body feeling completely refreshed. You might think that some genie granted your wish, but it is more than that. By caring for your gut, you can easily bid adieu to mysterious bloating, brain fog and unexplained mood swings. Your gut health is deeply connected with your overall well-being. Let’s examine how a good gut affects your health, mood and immunity.
The Gut Feeling: How Can Microbiomes Be Good?
Did you know that the bacteria and other microbes in your gut help you digest your food and strengthen your immunity, heart, and brain health? While our body houses trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi, collectively known as the microbiome, only some are responsible for various ailments. The microbiomes in the gut play an important role in keeping us healthy.
Here is a closer look at how these microbiomes affect our body, mind and overall health.
1. Effect on the body
From the moment we are born, the gut microbiome gets to work. For instance, they help in digesting breast milk. Known as the Bifidobacteria, they digest the healthy sugars in breast milk and assist in the child's growth. As we grow up, it continues to do its job. The gut microbiome has a big say in how your immune system works. It can control how the body responds to infection. Certain bacteria digest fibre and by doing so, they prevent diabetes, heart disease, and even the risk of cancer. Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance of healthy and unhealthy microbes, may contribute to weight gain. Therefore, a good gut keeps us in shape.
If you are struggling with intestinal diseases like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the reason could be your poor gut health. By improving your gut health, you can say goodbye to bloating, cramps and abdominal pain. You should also know that certain bacteria within the gut microbiome are dangerous as they can produce chemicals that can block arteries and lead to heart disease.
2. Effect on the mind
Research has shown that the gut microbiome may also affect the central nervous system, which controls brain function. It may come as a surprise, but there is a huge connection between gut health and mental health. The gut microbiome plays a key role in producing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which influence mood, stress levels, and cognitive function. Having a balanced diet, managing stress and consuming probiotics or fibre-rich foods can help support both gut and mental well-being.
3. Effect on overall well-being
A healthy gut lays the foundation of holistic well-being. Doesn’t it feel nice when you have high energy levels throughout the day, people compliment your skin, and you hardly have to take any sick days? When you take care of your gut, the gut will take care of nutrient absorption and strike a balance in microbiome count. You will enjoy both physical vitality and cognitive clarity. A well-functioning gut also helps the immune system get stronger and fight infections and ailments. By nurturing the gut, you can improve the overall quality of your life.
How to Improve Gut Health?
You read about the wonders of having a good gut, but you would be wondering what you can do to improve its health. Well, not much. Here are some simple ways you can make your gut happy and healthy:
- Eat right: A diet containing lots of gut-healthy foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds and olive oil, is a must. Fermented foods, such as yogurt, contain healthy bacteria and can reduce the number of disease-causing species in the gut.
- Get active: Daily exercise is good both for your health and gut health.
- Stress less: Yes, it’s easier said than done. Try to relax when things pile up.
- Stay hydrated: Water supports gut health by aiding digestion and nutrient absorption.
Conclusion
An imbalance of unhealthy and healthy microbes in the intestines may contribute to weight gain, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and other disorders—something we absolutely don’t want. Look after your gut by eating right, sleeping well and exercising; your gut will thank you.
Not to forget, ensure you have a comprehensive health insurance policy to cover medical expenses. Depending on your health needs and affordability, you can choose individual health insurance or a family floater, which covers all members under a single plan.
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