Health Upp Gut health is a term that has been gaining popularity within the past few decades. It revolves around keeping the digestive tract healthy. Gut health often influences a lot of functions in the body. Good gut health is vitally important for overall physical and mental well-being, as it is linked to different organs in the body, such as the heart, skin, and brain.
According to various scientific investigations, intestinal health is a determining factor in general well-being because 70% of immune cells are found in the digestive tract1. These immune cells play a severe role in helping to protect us against disease and, in turn, helping to keep us healthy.
These microorganisms perform different functions ranging from helping the body absorb nutrients to boosting the immune system. Many people are unaware of the impact that supplementing their gut health can have on their overall health. With the ever-growing focus on healthy living, some individuals may be looking for ways to improve their digestive health. There are a variety of digestive health supplements that are available for those who want to take steps towards better digestive health.
Improving your health starts with embracing a healthy lifestyle. Here are the effective ways to maintain your gut health.
1. Eat healthy meals
Several diet trends have been emerging over the years to cater to enhancing gut health. However, factors such as food sensitivity and allergies must be considered before choosing any diet.
The major downside of processed foods is that they contain a high amount of additives, sugar, salt, and fat. Consume foods with high fiber levels such as pulses, vegetables, whole grains, and fruits instead. Avoid eating at odd hours or skipping meals.
Another thing is to incorporate mindfulness into your eating habit to facilitate good digestion. This can be daunting in this fast-paced world, but it’s not impossible.
2. Lower your stress levels
It’s not surprising that stress is a leading factor of several life-threatening diseases, and our busy lifestyles are not helping matters.
Stress can lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiome, thereby causing the release of toxins into the body, among other issues.
Many people have accepted stress as a part of their daily lives and believe that there’s nothing they can do about it. Nevertheless, you can leverage tools and techniques to manage it. The good thing is that most of them are inexpensive.
For instance, you can embrace mindfulness or engage in deep breathing exercises a few times each day to reduce your stress levels. This can also improve your sleep pattern. Endeavor getting enough sleep daily and taking less alcohol. It’s high time to opt for healthier alternatives and drink enough water.
3. Avoid abusing antibiotics
Antibiotic abuse has become a common issue that needs urgent attention. Although antibiotics help the body fight off infection, they must be used in moderation and according to the doctor’s prescription. This also applies to NSAIDS which tend to damage the intestinal lining over time.
It’s best to take probiotics such as pickles, live yogurt, and kefir to balance your microbiome after taking probiotics. Taking this step is a sure way to create an ideal environment for good bacteria to survive.
Besides, consume prebiotics to feed the healthy bacteria in your gut. Foods that contain prebiotics include spinach, leeks, oats, asparagus, and bananas.
4. Exercise regularly
The fact that you work from home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get your body moving. Exercising helps to improve the gut microbiome, and this can go a long way to boost your energy levels and reduce inflammation.
There’s no need to secure a gym membership before you can achieve this. Start with simple routines like walking, jumping, skipping, and stretching exercises.
Here are the common signs of an unhealthy gut:
- Mood swings
- Frequent illnesses
- Sleeping issues
- Migraine
- Depression
- Skin problems
In case you notice any of these symptoms, speak with your doctor first to be on the safer side.