Our tummy is home to a lot of organs: the stomach, the liver, the pancreas, the gallbladder, and the small and large intestines. Now, it is home to yet another “virtual organ”, something called the microbiome.
The microbiome is made up of a system of microbes living in and on our body. We have beneficial bacteria all over and inside our body and most of this friendly bacteria reside in our gut. It is closely tied to the endocrine system as well since hormones such as serotonin and melatonin are produced in the gut.
The friendly microbial flora is so extensive that there are studies that support the addition of the microbiome as a “virtual endocrine organ. With so many organs and hormones tied to our digestive system, why isn’t digestive health one of our topmost priorities?
Why is it important to take care of our digestive health?
Digestive problems that are not properly addressed can cause a host of other problems down the line, one being an adverse effect on our hormones. Poor digestion is a result of our body’s inability to break down food. If you ever find yourself experiencing bloating, stomach upset, burping, heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation, then you know you have a digestive system that isn’t functioning properly. And this could mean trouble.
The effects of poor digestion
80% of serotonin and melatonin is produced in the gut. An imbalance of these hormones can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and depression. An imbalance of those 2 hormones can also cause sleep disorders. These two hormones are primarily responsible for the quality of sleep we get. When we are sleep deprived, we become fatigued and anxious. All of these combined can cause us to make bad food choices. Ever notice that when you are sleep deprived, you have a tendency to overeat? That’s our body over compensating for the hormonal imbalance.
The imbalance of blood glucose levels is also tied to our digestive health. A healthy digestive system means a more stable blood glucose level. An unhealthy one means involuntary craving for sugar which makes your insulin levels spike. You already know that high insulin levels cause diabetes. Insulin resistance also compromises our body’s fat burning ability causing weight gain.
How to improve digestive health:
- Eat healthful food - This is always the number one tip. This means, you should avoid eating processed food that is high in sugar. Eat healthy fats rich in Omega 3 and 6. But make sure you don’t overeat!
- Take supplements - There are many options for probiotics that can help support your digestive health. Probiotics are chock full of good bacteria. You can get them in tablet or drink form. Fermented foods are also a good source of probiotics.
- Get moving - Staying sedentary or sitting in an office chair for long periods of time will decrease motility in your digestive system. So get moving!
Try Fruitful Digest
Fruitful Digest is concentrated blend of 9 natural plant based digestive enzymes carefully selected to help nourish and strengthen your digestive tract.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22647038
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27345323
