Gut Health (And Why It Matters)

2022, right!?! If your immune system + skin are feeling a little unhappy this winter, you’re not alone. A global pandemic combined with (what feels like) intensified winter ills + chills is seeing people reach for the Kleenex + collagen-infused wonton soup. If, right now, you’re not feeling your best -  our advice to you?  Don’t underestimate the power + potential of a healthy digestive system.

Your gut (aka digestive system) is an incredible, complex system comprising organs, blood, nerves, hormones + bacteria. It works hard to transform the food you eat into energy + nutrients + interacts with all the other systems in your body.

Why is gut health so important?

Maintaining a healthy digestive system is crucial to support your mood, nutrient absorption, immunity + skin health. Quite simply, looking after your gut creates wellness from within.

What happens when your gut health is compromised?

Even if you find yourself eating a balanced + nourishing diet if your gut health itself isn’t feeling balanced your body is unable to absorb crucial nutrients from your food.

It’s now more widely understood that a large part of your immune system lives in your gut. Your intestines also house a range of good bacteria called gut microbiota which aids digestion, protects the intestinal wall + supports healthy immune function. So when your delicate gut lining is damaged through diet, toxins, stress or bacterial imbalance - you may experience leaky gut.

Leaky gut is a digestive condition that affects the lining of your intestines, where gaps in the intestinal walls allow bacteria + other toxins to enter your bloodstream.  The normal part of your immune response that serves to fight infections + diseases winds up over-performing, resulting in gut inflammation + sometimes autoimmune reactions.

Alongside autoimmune diseases, leaky gut is also linked to depression, anxiety + skin conditions.

Maintaining healthy gut flora will bolster your immunity + can reduce the incidence of digestive issues. While probiotics can be enormously helpful, diet + lifestyle also play a huge role in the health of your gut.

5 easy ways to improve gut health.

1. Watch what you eat. Where possible, avoid sugar + processed foods. Instead opt for vegetables, good fats + clean protein. Adequate fibre is also important to help everything move more freely through your digestive tract.
2. Include fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi + yoghurt in your diet. As well as being delicious, these foods contain naturally occurring probiotics that promote a healthy + happy tummy.
3. Limit your exposure to toxins. Avoid artificial sweeteners, pesticides, MSG, triclosan (an antibacterial agent found in soaps + hand sanitisers) + meat + dairy treated with antibiotics. Your gut will thank you for reading your food, skin + home-care labels closely.
4. Reduce stress + create rituals to promote a restful slumber. The gut-brain-sleep link is well recognised + both short-term / long-term stress + lack of sleep can contribute to digestive issues. Managing stress + increasing your pillow time is vital to good health. 
5. Take a gut-loving supplement like collagen. The structural + amino acid profile of peptide collagen helps to rebuild, seal + heal your gut lining.  Choose a potent collagen powder like Adashiko to get your correct daily dose.

This blog post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or suspected-medical condition.