Gut Health: What It Is, Why It Matters, And How To Improve It
November 19, 2024
By Dr. Chris Weilandich, DC, LAT
You may have heard that gut health is crucial for your well-being, but what does that really mean? Your gut, also known as your gastrointestinal (GI) system, is not just responsible for digesting food. It’s a powerhouse that influences everything from your immune system to your mood and even your stress levels. Let’s break down the connection between gut health and overall wellness and how a simple test can help you understand your gut better and ultimately feel better.
What Is the Gut, and Why Is It Important?
The gut is made up of several organs: the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. Its main job is to break down food so your body can absorb essential nutrients, like vitamins and minerals. But the gut is involved in much more than just digestion.
Digestion and Nutrient Absorption
First, let’s talk about digestion. When you eat, your stomach breaks down food into smaller components. The small intestine then absorbs nutrients like proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, which your body needs to function. If your gut isn’t healthy, this process can go awry, leading to poor nutrient absorption and digestive discomfort like bloating, gas, or irregular bowel movements (Mayer, 2011).
Immune Function
Did you know that about 70% of your immune system lives in your gut? Your gut microbiome—a community of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes—plays a key role in protecting you from harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses. A balanced microbiome helps your immune system recognize threats and fight off infections (Zhang et al., 2020). When your gut microbiome is off balance, it can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system.
Mood and Mental Health
Your gut is often called the “second brain” because it produces neurotransmitters that regulate mood, including serotonin, which is known as the “feel-good” hormone. In fact, around 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut (Carabotti et al., 2015). That’s why gut health is so closely linked to mental health. An unhealthy gut can contribute to issues like anxiety, depression, and even stress-related disorders (Kelly et al., 2016). If your gut is out of balance, it might be affecting how you feel emotionally.
Stress and Gut Health
There’s a strong connection between gut health and how we handle stress. Chronic stress can disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to digestive problems like bloating or diarrhea (Bercik et al., 2011). On the flip side, an imbalanced gut can make you more susceptible to stress and anxiety. The good news is that by improving gut health, you can improve your body’s ability to manage stress.
Systemic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is linked to many health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers. The gut plays a central role in regulating inflammation. A balanced microbiome helps keep inflammation in check, while an imbalance can increase it, leading to health issues over time (Sharma et al., 2019). When your gut is healthy, it helps prevent systemic inflammation and supports your overall health.
The Thorne Gut Health Test: A Step Toward Better Gut Health
So, how can you tell if your gut is healthy? That’s where the Thorne Gut Health Test comes in. This test analyzes your gut microbiome and gives you detailed insights into what’s going on in your digestive system. The test uses a stool sample to evaluate the balance of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes in your gut.
The results of the Thorne Gut Health Test can help you understand several key areas:
- Gut Microbiome Diversity: It looks at the variety of bacteria in your gut. A diverse microbiome is a sign of a healthy gut.
- Harmful Bacteria or Fungi: It can identify harmful microbes that may be causing digestive discomfort or contributing to inflammation.
- Immune System Function: The test can give you insights into how well your gut is supporting your immune system.
How the Thorne Gut Health Test Can Help Improve Your Health
Once you’ve received your test results, you’ll have a clearer picture of what’s happening inside your gut. With this information, you can make targeted changes to improve your gut health, which can lead to better overall health.
1. Tailored Dietary Changes
If your results show an imbalance in your gut, the first step is usually dietary changes. For instance, if you have a lack of beneficial bacteria, you may be advised to eat more fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If harmful bacteria are present, you might be encouraged to eat more fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, or kimchi, which contain beneficial probiotics that support gut health (Mack et al., 2018).
2. Supplements
Based on your test results, the Thorne Gut Health Test may recommend specific probiotics, prebiotics, or other supplements to support gut balance. For example, if you have an overgrowth of harmful bacteria or yeast, you might benefit from antimicrobial or antifungal supplements to restore balance.
3. Immune System Support
Because a healthy gut supports a strong immune system, improving your gut health can help you better fight off infections and reduce inflammation throughout your body. The Thorne Gut Health Test can give you insights into how to best support your immune function through dietary and lifestyle changes.
4. Stress and Mood Management
Improving your gut health can also help improve your body’s ability to handle stress. A balanced gut can support the production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, making it easier to manage stress and feel emotionally balanced. If the test shows a disruption in the gut-brain axis, it could be the first step in improving your mental health (Rea et al., 2016).
The Bottom Line
Gut health is more than just digestion—it’s central to your immune system, mood, stress management, and overall well-being. The Thorne Gut Health Test offers an easy way to understand the balance of microbes in your gut and how they might be affecting your health. Armed with this information, you can make informed choices about your diet and lifestyle to restore balance and improve your gut health. Your gut is powerful! Taking care of it can make a world of difference in how you feel, inside and out! So, what are you waiting for? Start your gut health journey today with the Thorne Gut Health Test!
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References:
- Mayer, E. A. (2011). Gut feelings: The emerging biology of gut-brain communication. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 12(8), 453–466.
- Zhang, Z., et al. (2020). Gut microbiome and immune responses in health and disease. Journal of Immunology Research, 2020, 8971356.
- Carabotti, M., et al. (2015). The gut-brain axis: Interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Annals of Gastroenterology, 28(2), 203–209.
- Kelly, J. R., et al. (2016). The role of the gut microbiome in the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders. Current Neuropharmacology, 14(6), 788–799.
- Bercik, P., et al. (2011). The relationship between gut microbiota and the brain. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 9(9), 556–561.
- Sharma, V., et al. (2019). Gut microbiota and systemic inflammation: Role in cardiovascular disease. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(6), 832.
- Mack, D. R., et al. (2018). Probiotics and gut health. Gut Microbes, 9(1), 1–10.
- Rea, K., et al. (2016). Microbiota-gut-brain axis: Insights into the role of gut bacteria in neuropsychology. Journal of Psychology, 24(4), 402-411.
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