If you’re new to living a healthy lifestyle or understanding how your body works, you may be wondering why gut health is important.
Long story short, there is a profound connection between our gut and brain. It’s something that has been observed for centuries, dating back to Ancient Greece and the Dong-jin dynasty.
The gut-brain connection, also referred to as the gut-brain axis, refers to the communication network between our gastrointestinal system and our central nervous system. This connection can be tied to everything from digestion to mental health.
Let’s explore that connection and discuss why gut health matters, how it impacts our lives, and how to maintain a healthy gut.
Understanding the Gut Microbiota
Your gut microbiota, a complex ecosystem residing in your GI system. These microorganisms — including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa — form a symbiotic relationship with your body.
The gut microbiota has numerous benefits and plays a crucial role in daily functions, including:
- Stimulating the immune system
- Synthesizing vitamins and amino acids, including B vitamins and vitamin K
- Breaking down complex carbs and fiber
- Preventing chronic diseases
- Improving muscle function
- Protecting the body against harmful pathogens and toxins
- And more!
It is easy to throw this delicate system of bacteria in your gut off balance based on diet, lifestyle and environmental factors. As you might expect, this opens up a whole world of potential health issues.
Gut Health Impacts Your Nervous System
All those gut microbiota connect with the enteric nervous system (ENS), often referred to as the "second brain."
The ENS is a complex network of nerve cells lining your gut, enabling it to communicate with the central nervous system. This communication goes both ways — the gut sends signals to the brain and the brain influences gut function.
Obviously, your ENS plays a role in regulating digestion. It helps break down food, absorb nutrients, and keep things moving through your GI tract.
Gut Health Impacts Your Mental Health
The ENS can also impact mood and emotions — which is why you may experience a "gut feeling" or “butterflies in your stomach,” especially during times when you’re nervous or stressed.
Studies have linked gut health and an imbalance of gut microbiota to several mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression. There is even ongoing research linking gut health to Alzheimer’s disease and other chronic issues.
Gut Health Impacts the Immune System
As noted, all those microorganisms in your gut stimulate the immune system. That means a healthy gut is fundamental to your immune system. In fact, 70% of your immune system is located in the gut.
The gut microbiota helps train these immune cells to recognize and respond to potential threats effectively.
When the gut microbiota is in balance, it helps prevent harmful pathogens from proliferating and causing infections. However, an imbalanced microbiota can lead to dysregulation of the immune system, contributing to the development of autoimmune diseases and allergies.
Strategies for Improving Your Gut Health
Now we’ve talked about how gut health plays a role in your mental health, digestive system, immune system, and many other areas of your life. If you’re struggling in any of those areas, taking steps to improve your gut health may have a positive impact.
With that in mind, here are some practical strategies to improve your gut microbiome and nurture the gut-brain connection.
Improve Your Diet
What we eat has a direct impact on the health and diversity of our gut microbiota.
A diet rich in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and legumes promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, contributing to a diverse and healthy gut microbiota.
On the other side, research suggests that processed foods, sugars, and artificial additives can negatively affect gut health and allow bad bacteria to flourish. These foods have been shown to disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota, causing inflammation and digestive issues.
Consider adding fermented and prebiotic-rich foods to your diet, such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, almonds, and kombucha.
Get More Sleep
Sleep can also impact your gut health — which is an area scientists are continuing to explore.
The connection between sleep and gut health is obvious. More sleep allows your gut to rest and repair so it can operate at its best.
And, if we’re honest, humans don’t always make the best dietary choices when we’re tired. Most of us are more likely to opt for sweets and fast food after a long day than some vegetables or fruit. These eating habits can lead to pain and bloating before bed.
A lack of sleep can also trigger stress — which impacts that bilateral connection between your ENS and your brain.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Speaking of stress, taking steps to minimize anxiety and stress in your life can have a positive impact on gut health.
Prioritize natural stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation, yoga, taking walks, and spending time in nature, to support a healthy gut environment. These are all key pieces of radical self care and maintaining overall wellness.
Take a Dietary Supplement
Probiotics may help digestion, boost mood, reduce inflammation, improve immune response, and more, among other benefits. Probiotics and gut health supplements are a great way to support your body, especially if you’re not getting a lot naturally through your diet.
That said, not all probiotics and health supplements are created equal.
Many supplements and probiotics today contain added ingredients and fillers that may cause more harm than good. Others don’t contain enough of the “good” bacteria or a broad enough spectrum to really make a noticeable difference.
That’s why we created Somaya Life. We call it an “anthrobiotic” because it goes beyond a probiotic with 10 dedicated Smart Strains™ of good bacteria. Each strain has a targeted role to help balance the microbiome and boost the gut-brain connection.
Plus, it contains no unnecessary fillers or ingredients, minimizing any potential complications or side-effects. It’s non-GMO, dairy free, soy free, egg free, and more!
Want to learn more? Check out these 5 reasons to try Somaya Life or order now.
