Gut health describes the function and balance of bacteria of the many parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
In a perfect world, organs such as the stomach, intestines and esophagus work together so that people are able to eat and digest food without discomfort. However that’s not the case for the nearly 70 million people in the United States with digestive diseases, according to the National Institute of Health.
Why is gut health important?
All of the food we eat is broken down in the gut into a form that can enter the bloodstream and all of the nutrients can be absorbed by our body. The body needs a healthy digestive system in order to benefit from the vitamins and minerals in our diets. A healthy gut also contains healthy bacteria and immune cells that ward off viruses and bacteria which can impact a person’s overall wellbeing.
However, gut health goes far beyond digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune system function. A healthy gut is essential for the proper function of the body’s central nervous system as it contains approximately 500 million neurons, which are connected to the brain through various nerves—the largest being the vagus nerve—which sends signals in both directions between the gut and the brain.
Numerous studies have shown that stress inhibits signals sent through the vagus nerve which also causes gastrointestinal problems. Another study conducted on humans found that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease experienced a reduced function of the vagus nerve. In turn, a proper diet which boosts gut health can have a positive effect on reducing stress levels and improving communication between the brain and the gut.
An animal study found that probiotics reduced the amount of stress hormones in blood. However, when the vagus nerve was cut, the probiotic had no effect. This substantiates the fact that the vagus nerve is crucial in the gut-brain axis, its role in stress, and how nutrients which support a healthy gut also regulate emotional behavior.
Bad gut health symptoms:
It is normal for anyone at some point in their lives to experience digestive problems. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, loose stools or constipation, heartburn, bloating, and nausea. However, if these symptoms persist over a long period of time, it may be a sign of an underlying gut health condition.
There can be severe symptoms which could be a sign of a gastrointestinal problem with major consequences, including:
- Unexpected weight loss
- Blood in the stool
- Severe stomach pain
- Difficulty swallowing food
- Throat when food is swallowed
- Jaundice
How to improve gut health:
There are many ways people can improve their gut health or prevent bad gut health from happening in the first place. Lowering stress levels is one of the primary ways to improve overall gut health.
At some point in their lives, many people have experienced a time where they were “stress eating.” This usually involves consuming extremely palatable foods which are not always healthy. Consequently, these foods can have a negative impact on healthy gut bacteria.
Stress hormones also impact gut bacteria metabolites, altering a person’s mood and affecting the vagus nerve. Consuming more B Vitamins can help lower stress and anxiety, which are often found in salmon, leafy greens, organ meats, and eggs. A Myers Cocktail Infusion is also a great way for the best absorption of vitamins and minerals to ease stress and improve overall wellbeing.
There are also various supplements and minerals which studies prove to be directly related to improving gut health and treating leaky gut syndrome:
- Zinc
- Probiotics
- Vitamin C [30% OFF DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER]
- Vitamin D
- Collagen Peptides
- Glutamine
- Curcumin
- Deglycyrrhizinated licorice
The Nova Vita Wellness Centers Defense Infusion has Vitamin C, Zinc, B-Complex Vitamins, and Glutathione—a powerful combination which can provide relief from poor gut health symptoms.
This infusion is 30% OFF during the month of November.
If you are experiencing any symptoms which you think may be related to poor gut health or a chronic gastrointestinal complication it is important to consult a physician. If you are still experiencing symptoms or are interested in preventing gut health complications before they begin, Nova Vita Wellness Centers has a variety of IV Vitamin Infusions which contain many of the beneficial ingredients listed above.
