Five Benefits of Good Gut Health
We all have around one to three kilograms of bacteria living in our large intestine. This is collectively known as the gut microbiome. There are hundreds of different species of bacteria, some are friendly and some are not. When the gut flora contains too many harmful bacteria and not enough friendly bacteria, an imbalance can occur. Keeping your good guys abundant has five benefits.
The first benefit is for your mood. There is a constant interplay between your gut and your brain, meaning the brain is not the only organ in control of emotions. Micro-organisms in the gut secrete many chemicals to the rest of the body, including dopamine and serotonin. This means that there is a link between gut health and mental wellness which makes sense to anyone who experiences gut discomfort under stress.
Related to your mood is your sleep. Anything that disrupts your circadian rhythms can have a negative effect on gut microbiota. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is another hormone secreted by the gut. The interplay with cortisol, the “wake up” or “stress” hormone is an important balance to create for optimal sleep and health.
The third benefit of good gut health is better nutrient absorption. Having a good balance of gut bacteria and digestive enzymes ensures that the nutrients in your food can be processed and mobilized to where your body needs them.
The forth benefit is improved immunity. Your gut flora is the gatekeeper for pathogenic bacteria, preventing them from settling in and troubling the immune system. Robust gut health reduces the permeability of the gut or “leaky gut” which has been associated with a range of diseases.
The fifth benefit is weight management. The more diverse gut microbes you have the easier it is to manage your weight. This may be because certain microbes can alter your sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that moves sugar out of your blood and regulates fat metabolizing processes. Of course, better mood, sleep and energy combined with not being sick all the time really helps with your ability to stick to healthy habits.
Check out my next post for five things you can do to improve your gut health for optimal wellness.
The first benefit is for your mood. There is a constant interplay between your gut and your brain, meaning the brain is not the only organ in control of emotions. Micro-organisms in the gut secrete many chemicals to the rest of the body, including dopamine and serotonin. This means that there is a link between gut health and mental wellness which makes sense to anyone who experiences gut discomfort under stress.
Related to your mood is your sleep. Anything that disrupts your circadian rhythms can have a negative effect on gut microbiota. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is another hormone secreted by the gut. The interplay with cortisol, the “wake up” or “stress” hormone is an important balance to create for optimal sleep and health.
The third benefit of good gut health is better nutrient absorption. Having a good balance of gut bacteria and digestive enzymes ensures that the nutrients in your food can be processed and mobilized to where your body needs them.
The forth benefit is improved immunity. Your gut flora is the gatekeeper for pathogenic bacteria, preventing them from settling in and troubling the immune system. Robust gut health reduces the permeability of the gut or “leaky gut” which has been associated with a range of diseases.
The fifth benefit is weight management. The more diverse gut microbes you have the easier it is to manage your weight. This may be because certain microbes can alter your sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that moves sugar out of your blood and regulates fat metabolizing processes. Of course, better mood, sleep and energy combined with not being sick all the time really helps with your ability to stick to healthy habits.
Check out my next post for five things you can do to improve your gut health for optimal wellness.