Is your gut trying to tell you something?
Root Causes of Bloating
Bloating is one of the most common complaints related to gut health. Here are some root causes:
- Dietary Factors: Consuming high amounts of processed foods, dairy, gluten, or eating too quickly can lead to bloating.
- Lifestyle Factors: High stress levels and lack of physical activity can contribute to digestive discomfort.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), and food intolerances can cause chronic bloating
How Gut Health Affects Metabolism
Your gut health plays a crucial role in your metabolic processes. Here’s how:
- Nutrient Absorption: A healthy gut ensures that nutrients from food are effectively absorbed.
- Weight Management: An imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
- Metabolic Disorders: Poor gut health is linked to conditions like diabetes and obesity.
- Insulin Sensitivity: Healthy gut bacteria improve insulin sensitivity, aiding in better blood sugar control.
In the News: More and more research shows that a healthy metabolism depends on gut health. A study published in Nature Metabolism found that boosting the intake of a specific prebiotic dietary fiber, high-amylose maize (a resistant starch), not only increased beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome but also correlated with better insulin sensitivity and weight loss. Foods high in resistant starches include plantains, cooked and cooled potatoes, oats, and other whole grains.
Pro Health Tip
Whether you’re wanting better digestion, clearer skin, more energy, or a more balanced mood, none of this will happen without a happy gut. So remember these simple everyday micro-habits to support your gut:
- Stay Hydrated: Your digestive juices depend on it!
- Eat the Rainbow: For antioxidants and fiber.
- Try Ground Flax, Chia, or Hemp Seeds: Healthy fats reduce inflammation.
- Boost Magnesium: Particularly if you tend toward constipation.
- Keep Moving: Exercise enhances the diversity of the gut microbiome.
Did You Know?
Gas and bloating are not the only signs of poor gut health. What happens in your gut affects nearly every other system of your body and can also cause or aggravate:
- Food Sensitivities
- Skin Irritations
- Food Cravings
- Mood Changes
- Brain Fog
Benefits of Healing Your Gut
Healing your gut can have far-reaching benefits for your overall health. Here are some of the key advantages:
- Improved Digestion: Reducing gastrointestinal discomfort and enhancing nutrient absorption.
- Enhanced Immune Function: A balanced gut microbiome strengthens your immune response.
- Better Skin Health: Reducing inflammation in the gut can improve skin conditions.
- Increased Energy Levels: A healthy gut boosts your energy and reduces fatigue.
- Improved Mental Clarity and Mood: Gut health is closely linked to mental well-being and can help stabilize your mood.
- Overall Quality of Life: When your gut is healthy, you feel better in every aspect of your life.
Healing your gut is essential for improving your overall health, boosting your energy, and enhancing your quality of life. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned or want to proactively support your gut health, we can help.
Our practice uses a comprehensive, heart-centered approach to functional medicine and high performance coaching to help you reclaim your vitality.
Work with us: Take the first step towards vibrant health and vitality. Click here to see our offerings and how we can support your journey to better gut health and overall well-being.
References:
Li, H., Zhang et al (2024). Resistant starch intake facilitates weight loss in humans by reshaping the gut microbiota. Nature Metabolism, 6, 578–597.
Posted by Dr. Onna Lo MD June 2024
