How Gut Health Affects Your Well-Being
Many articles and much attention are paid to heart health, protecting your brain and lungs, and the importance of exercise, but little is mentioned about the importance of gut health and its effect on your well-being. It may be discussed in commercials on laxatives or mentioned in yogurt commercials promoting gut health, but aside from the discussion on constipation, diarrhea, and the occasional upset stomach, the major role it plays in your immunity, nutrition, and mood is seldom mentioned.
The gut is the second immune system.
Breakthroughs in understanding the role microbes play in health are discovered every year. A recent discovery led scientists to find the bacteria that produced a bile acid that caused a genetic change in T-cell activity. It resulted in autoimmune diseases like Crohn's or RA. Other studies show that if the gut microbiome is in balance, it helps the immune system identify real invaders to attack. If there are too many harmful microbes, it can trigger an attack on the body's cells and cause autoimmune disorders.
There is a theory that a leaky gut may be the problem.
Your gut has a mucous lining that prevents the leakage of toxins into the bloodstream. The leaky gut theory suggests the lining becomes permeable, allowing the toxins to enter. It can cause inflammation throughout the entire body. Scientists have found a link between diabetes, fibromyalgia, arthritis, asthma, and chronic fatigue. The theory got some backing when scientists discovered the intestine's permeability before discovering the disease. An imbalance of gut microbes, a deficiency in vitamins A and D, zinc deficiencies, stress, alcohol abuse, and yeast overgrowth may lead to a leaky gut.
Your diet plays a role in producing a healthy gut microbiome.
What you eat makes a difference. If you eat excess sugar, it can lead to an unhealthy increase in yeast or harmful microbes. If you consume food high in soluble fiber, it feeds the beneficial microbes and increases their colonies. The beneficial microbes break down food into nutrients the body can use and create hormones and enzymes that contribute to both mental and physical health. Several studies are investigating the role that gut health plays in disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disease, and schizophrenia.
- Problems with gut health may lead to diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas. Poor gut health may trigger weight gain and lead to chronic fatigue, skin irritation, and autoimmune disorders.
- An imbalance in the gut microbiome can affect how you handle stress. The reverse is also true. Stress can directly affect the balance of the gut microbiome.
- Including fiber-rich vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, and leafy greens in the diet can nourish and encourage populations of beneficial bacteria. Adding fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt also helps.
- Consuming collagen, amino acids, foods high in zinc, and L-glutamine can help repair the gut lining. Adding flaxseed, fatty fish, and avocados provides healthy fat to reduce gut inflammation.
For more information, contact us today at Habitat Health & Fitness
Sometimes, it seems like there isn't enough time or energy to get everything done. I hear that a lot in Lakeland, FL. Some people look to energy drinks high in sugar, but there are healthier natural remedies that can boost your energy without the sudden drop that occurs when you consume sugary food and drinks. You may not be able to increase your actual time, but you get more done in a shorter period when you're moving faster and have the boost of power left near the end of the day.
When people in Lakeland, FL, ask about supplements for muscle growth and recovery, I tell them to check their diet first. If your meals aren't nutritious, no matter how many supplements you take, you won't get the results you want. There are situations where a supplement can help. Even in those cases, proceed with caution and follow directions carefully. Creatine can help build muscles but may interact with other herbal supplements and caffeine. It can cause water retention in the muscles and weight gain and increase the risk of stroke.
Your core muscles are those in the front and back of your trunk. They keep your body erect, help maintain balance, and provide other functions, like protecting internal organs. To be your healthiest, you need to keep these muscles strong. The best core workouts improve both abdominal and back muscles. They help your posture, so they increase your energy. Good posture means your body doesn't have to work as hard to stay erect.
Like many cities, Lakeland, FL, is a busy place that can be stressful. Enduring stress for too long can zap you of all your motivation and strength. When that occurs, you need to relax and energize. Relaxation can be passive or active. One active form of relaxation is walking, especially near greenery or by water, as you absorb the surroundings. It could be dancing, which allows your brain to focus on enjoying the movement. Passive relaxation is sedentary. It could be resting, watching TV, or something more lasting, such as using breathing techniques and meditation where you relax both the body and the mind.
Losing weight can be difficult. There are various ways to approach it. Some people choose a traditional route of calorie counting. Others focus on eating healthier and cutting out food with added sugar and highly processed food. A third technique is carb counting. Calorie counting and carb counting are very similar. Many high-calorie foods, like those with added sugar, such as pastry, and products made with white flour, are often high in calories and carbs.
I commend people in Lakeland, FL, who push hard and exercise regularly. It's impressive when you stick with a schedule and keep your promise to get into shape or fine-tune your body when you're already fit. That doesn't mean you won't benefit from an occasional rest day. It's imperative if you're doing intense workouts. Constantly pushing too hard can make your goal more difficult to achieve. Sometimes, you need a rest day.
Science is constantly changing as more is known. Many studies of the past have proven wrong. At one time, eating too many eggs was considered unhealthy. Today, that's just one of the myths disproven by uncovering new information. The negative belief that eggs were unhealthy came from the cholesterol they contained. While they are higher in cholesterol, newer studies show that it doesn't affect the cholesterol levels of people who eat them. Eggs, especially eggs from pastured chickens, are incredibly healthy.
People in Lakeland, FL, choose to become vegetarian or vegan for various reasons. Some of the reasons are philosophical and personal. Others have to do with dietary issues. Which type of protein is best when you're training? There are pros and cons for plant or animal protein. There are quality proteins in both categories. If you want the easiest menu, choosing animal proteins may be your option. They're all complete proteins.
One of the goals people frequently choose is to change their body composition by boosting muscle tissue and reducing fat. People search for easy ways to burn more fat and build more muscle tissue. Some work. Others are failures. Making small changes in your habits can make a huge difference. Every little bit counts. Use these techniques to increase the fat you burn and help you keep it from returning.