6 Facts About Gut Health
Keeping our gut health in check is one of the most important things we can do for our bodies. With around 70% of our immune system located there, our bodies rely on the gut being in good shape for a number of reasons. Around 40 trillion bacteria live in our bodies, most of which can be found in the intestines. Collectively, they’re known as your gut microbiota and they help our bodies take in nutrients from our food. Read on to discover more.
1. Your gut actually has a brain of its own, known as enteric nervous system. Able to function independently from the brain and spinal cord, it’s known as the second brain; in fact there are more neurons in the gastrointestinal tract than the entire spinal cord. It means that some neurological illnesses may not always be linked to the brain but actually to the gut instead.
2. The gut manufactures many more neurotransmitters than the brain does. Around 80-90% of our serotonin is made in our guts, while every class of brain neurotransmitter has been found to exist there as well. When our digestion is sub-optimal, we can under-produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which is linked to anxiety, depression and myriad other mental health issues.
3. Stress, both temporary and long-term, can hugely impact the health of the gut. When we’re stressed, our sympathetic nervous system gets triggered and our bodies divert energy away from the digestive system in order to deal with what it perceives to be the present threat. As a result, digestion slows right down and becomes sluggish. Food stays in our stomach longer which leads to gas, indigestion and bloating and even a disruption of the balance of gut bacteria.
4. The gut relies on a delicate balance of prebiotics and probiotics to keep it healthy and in proper working order. Prebiotics, which can be found in foods including onions, garlic, asparagus and bananas are dietary fibres that feed the good bacteria in your gut and help protect your microbiome. Your gut also needs probiotics to keep your bodily systems strong and healthy. Fermented foods such as kimchi, miso and sauerkraut contain plenty of good probiotics, as does Workshop’s Probiotic + Prebiotic blend, which contains a great balance of multiple strains of bacteria for maximum efficacy, as well as a high number of colony-forming units for continued health. Taking antibiotics can wipe out all the good bacteria so it’s even more important you keep your intake high if you’ve been prescribed a course by your doctor.
5. Processed foods can cause serious issues for the gut, including inflammation in the lining of our GI tract, where food is absorbed. Instead of knowing to digest it, the gut interprets the artificial ingredients invaders, which sets off an inflammatory response in the body. To combat this, stick to whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible.
6. Although the gut-sleep link is still being researched, it’s widely believed that poor sleep and poor gut health are connected. Getting enough sleep not only lowers cortisol levels in the body, it also allows the gut time to fully digest everything that’s been consumed throughout the day. This means it can spend time regenerating and repairing itself ready for the next day’s consumption.
To keep your gut in good shape, Workshop’s Gut Cleansing Formula contains a blend of 12 soluble and insoluble fibres which promotes good digestion, optimum gut health and healthy, regular bowel movements.