How are you with your 2017 resolutions so far? You were probably so excited when you were writing them down for the new year a few months ago. But are you able to stand by them? Do you know that only about eight percent of people who have New Year’s resolution are actually able to accomplish them? That’s according to Forbes magazine. So yes, you are not the only one having trouble sticking to your goals.
If one of your resolutions is achieving a healthier body, you should definitely consider giving your gut a makeover. Modifying the bacteria and microbes (also collectively called the gut microbiome) in your intestinal tract is an excellent investment to make for your health.
You see, millions and millions of microbial cells are found in the human body and they even outnumber human cells 10 to 1. Evidence also shows that a good variety of microbiota found in your intestines can greatly help in processing the nutrients in the foods that you consume, and perform tasks that help promote better health. On the other hand, a reduced microbial community may have consequences that go even beyond your intestinal tract. You can be affected by inflammation and allergies; depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions; and of course, metabolic conditions like obesity and diabetes.
So how can you improve your gut? Here are some suggestions:
- Eat the right kind of food. As you can expect, your gut microbiome just responds to whatever food you send down to it. If your diet is varied and healthy, you can expect a flexible microbiome. The important thing is that you work hard to remove sugar and processed foods from your diet. Include fermented foods like kimchi, yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and other probiotic-rich foods instead.
- Limit your antibiotic intake. Yes, we understand that they could be necessary at times but antiobiotics are often overprescribed. Make sure you talk to your doctor and ask if an antibiotic is really needed.
- If you’re not even sure if you have high stomach acid, then you should stay away from antacids. Instead, support digestion with an enzyme supplement that can address symptoms like heartburn and bloating.
- Relax! You may not realize it but one of the best things you can do for your gut is to relax. It may sound odd, but your gut is actually like your second brain. So if there is microbiome imbalance, chances are, you get tired easily, or you feel anxious and even depressed. What you can do to avoid these is to minimize stress, slow down and do deep breathing on a regular basis.
Your microbiome is unique to you and there’s no single approach to improving it. But you can definitely support and strengthen your microbiome ecosystem with the tips mentioned above. For more help in improving your gut and overall health, come and visit us at Sloan Natural Health Center.
