Gut health is very important to good overall health. There are a few ways that you can be nice to your gut to avoid problems and potentially complicated medical procedures.
Since the majority of the immune system and all of the other body systems are linked to the gut, consciously caring for your gut can help you to enjoy a better quality of life.
Eat Less Refined Sugar
Sugar is processed by the liver and is broken down so that the body can use it and metabolize it. When you eat too much refined sugar, it can overload the liver and you may develop fatty liver disease and other complications.
As an additional worry, you open yourself up to risks of ERCP errors and complications as doctors attempt to diagnose and treat issues with the liver and bile ducts.
While these are side effects of prolonged refined sugar abuse, even temporary excesses of refined sugar can cause imbalances in the gut flora balance.
Reduce Stress Levels
Stress and gut health are closely linked, as you know if you have ever felt butterflies in your stomach or stomach tension during an exam or confrontation. Chronic stress can cause chronic gut issues that affect our comfort levels and ability to function.
By reducing your stress, you may improve your gut health. You can work to reduce your stress levels by trying meditation, exercising regularly, and laughing more often.
Avoid Antibiotics
Antibiotics kill bacteria indiscriminately, which means that good bacteria are killed along with bad bacteria.
Good bacteria are needed to assist with digestion, so a decrease in these helpful bacteria can result in poor gut health, discomfort, and reduced immunity to infections.
If antibiotics are used too often, it can lead to chronic gut problems and decrease your body’s ability to fight off infections.
Take A Probiotic Supplement
A probiotic supplement can help to maintain a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Probiotic supplements can be helpful in correcting imbalances and restoring health, especially if you have symptoms of an unhealthy gut.
If you are unsure about whether you should take a probiotic supplement or which supplement is right for you, ask your doctor for advice.
Eat A Healthy Diet
A nutritious diet is one of the most important factors for maintaining gut health. Specifically, fermented foods like sauerkraut and kombucha can help to improve the levels of good bacteria in your gut. Sticking with whole foods and avoiding processed foods can also help you to maintain good gut health.
If you are nice to your gut, your gut will be nice to you! Do little things everyday to improve your gut health and you will reap the benefits.
You can find much more information on living a holistic lifestyle in these free magazines and on our YouTube channel.
Amanda Maclean is a recent college graduate and avid writer. While her primary focus in college was Psychology, she also focused on English Lit. and Public Health. She draws on her knowledge of these subjects to create online content that addresses human needs in a simple way. In her down time, she enjoys traveling, rock climbing, poetry and hanging out with her pup.
