Research performed over the last several decades has been pointing to a strong connection between gut health and overall health, and it’s finally becoming clear why that is. The pivotal role the gut plays in maintaining overall health hinges on what’s known as the gut microbiome. Read on to find out how a healthy gut microbiome supports physical and mental well-being.
What is the Gut Microbiome?
The gut microbiome is composed of bacteria, fungi, and other tiny living things, although to date, the bacteria have received most of the researchers’ attention. Trillions of them live within the human body, and many of them play crucial roles in the digestion of food. Of the 1,000 or so species of bacteria that compose the gut microbiome, not all are good.
When populations of harmful bacteria start to grow out of control, it’s usually time to try a 90 day gut cleanse. Once the balance has been restored, there are ways to maintain it through dietary and lifestyle changes such as avoiding certain foods and taking supplements.
How the Gut Microbiome Affects Physical Health
If it weren’t for the trillions of bacteria living in and on the human body, people would have a very difficult time surviving. The gut microbiome doesn’t just help to digest food, although that is one of its key functions. It also benefits metabolic, cardiac, immune system, and neurological health.
Metabolic Benefits
When the balance of bacteria in someone’s gut gets out of balance, that state is known as dysbiosis. Scientists now believe that gut dysbiosis may contribute to weight gain and the development of metabolic syndrome. Improving the gut microbiome by restoring balance to the bacterial communities can help people lose weight, heal from GI disorders like IBS, and reduce the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases related to metabolic syndrome.
Cardiac Benefits
The bacteria in the gut also play a role in heart health, although the connection is more complicated. While a balanced gut microbiome promotes good HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, dysbiosis contributes to heart disease by increasing the production of a chemical called trimethylamine N-oxide that contributes to blocked arteries.
Immune System Benefits
The gut microbiome helps the body’s immune system control how it responds to infections. It plays a role in the production of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory agents and regulates the immune system so it is able to respond to threats but does not attack healthy tissues.
Neurological Benefits
Even the brain is impacted by the balance of bacteria in the gut. This connection is caused by some species of bacteria’s ability to assist in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and control the messages sent to the brain from the gut via the central nervous system. Controlling gut dysbiosis has now been shown to alleviate symptoms of neuropsychological issues such as depression and anxiety.
Get on the Path to Better Gut Health
It’s never too late to get on the path to a healthier gut microbiome and the improvements in overall health and wellness that accompany it. Starting with a cleanse can give people the chance to rebalance their microbiomes before moving forward with healthier habits. Just be sure to adopt a diet and lifestyle that are conducive to the development of healthy bacterial communities to avoid having the same problems with gut dysbiosis again in a few weeks, months, or years.
