PERHAPS one of the most popular taglines of our era was that of Yakult’s “Ok ka ba tiyan?” which highlighted to all of us the importance of having good bacteria in our system. In recent years, the importance of gut health for our overall well-being has gained importance as it pertains to weight loss, stress and general health. Some have even suggested that there is more to “trusting your gut” as gut health serves as our body’s second brain.
Why is gut health important?
Good bacteria. There are 100 trillion bacteria in our bodies and most of them are in our intestines. What you eat determines what kind of bacteria enters your gut. This is why it’s crucial to realize that what you put in there has long-term effects.
The stomach as a second brain. What we eat affects how we think, our mood, creative output, libido etc.
Digestion. Beneficial bacteria in your digestive system have the capability of affecting your body’s vitamin and mineral absorbency, hormone regulation, digestion, vitamin production, immune response and ability to eliminate toxins. Our gut has a big role in maintaining our health and wellness. Our intestinal flora can be damaged by medication, alcohol intake, excess sugar and alcohol, tobacco etc. Further, if you’re taking all those supplements without paying attention to your gut health, it is possible that you’re not getting maximum absorption of nutrients from your supplements.
So, get gut healthy. It might be wise to start taking your favorite probiotic every day. Next week, we will delve into more causes of poor gut health and how to optimize our gut health!