Your Gut: The Hidden Director of Energy, Mood, and Immunity
The reality is, most people perceive a healthy gut as something that just deals with digestion, but science knows the truth: a healthy gut is so much more than that! “It really is like the control room of the body, operating away under the radar, influencing a person’s energy, mood, sleep patterns, and even their immune systems," explains Mark Jenkins M.Sc., a nutritional therapist specializing in
Amid your intestines, there are trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that are collectively termed as your “gut microbiome.” When healthy, the microbial community aids digestion, supports the production of vital nutrients, and protects you by fighting “bad” bacteria. When the microbial community is out of whack, you may end up experiencing “bloating, fatigue, difficulties with concentration, or even impulses related to unhealthy food craving.”
One of the ways that a gastrointestinal problem impacts you may be related to mood. The truth is, your body gets all the serotonin, or “feel good” hormone, it needs from your gastrointestinal tract, which explains why a dysfunctional GI tract may make you feel nervous, cranky, or even depressed. You can boost the “good” microbes by consuming probiotic rich foods like yogurt, kefir, or fermented veggies, as well as prebiotic rich foods like onions, garlic, or bananas.
It is worth noting that your gut has a huge role to play in your immune system as well, as 70% of the body's immunities are found either in or around the body's gastrointestinal tract, so you should make sure you eat a varied and fiber rich diet to help boost this ‘first line of defense.’
Even your energy can be attributed to your guts. When your guts are well balanced, you will be able to digest food better, and your sugar levels will be well regulated, preventing you from feeling drained or craving sugar, respectively on the other hand, an unhealthy guts condition makes you feel drained even if you are well rested.
Small modifications will have a substantial difference. You should make sure you eat fermented foods, prioritize vegetables and grains high in fiber, lower sugar intake, and keep stress under control. As a result, your digestive system will repay you by increasing your vitality, mood, and overall wellbeing.
You see, your gut is so much more than a stomach, let alone an acid reflux problem. It is, quietly, running the show when it comes to your body as a whole.
