It’s hardly news that the gastrointestinal tract is important to human health: It transports food from the mouth to the stomach, converts it into absorbable nutrients and stored energy, and shuttles waste back out of the body. In recent years, scientists have discovered that the GI system has a more complex job than previously appreciated. It’s been linked to numerous aspects of health that have seemingly nothing to do with digestion, from immunity to emotional stress to chronic illnesses. The key may lie in the microbiome—the makeup of bacteria and other microorganisms in the stomach and intestines, or, the gut.
Why is gut health important?
Everyone’s microbiome is unique, but there are a few generalities about what’s healthy and what’s not. In healthy people, there is a diverse array of organisms. In an unhealthy individual, there’s much less diversity, and there seems to be an increase of bacteria we associate with disease. Studies in both animals and humans have linked some bacteria to lower immune function; others to greater risk of asthma and allergies; and others to chronic illnesses. Gut health has even been linked to anxiety and depression, and to neurological conditions like schizophrenia and dementia.
What affects gut health?
The food you eat plays a role in the bacterial makeup of your gut, but so do a lot of other factors, including the nature of your birth. Research shows that babies delivered vaginally grow up to have more diverse microbiomes than those delivered via C-section, thanks to the exposure they get to different bacteria as they pass through the birth canal. Breastfeeding has also been shown to foster beneficial gut bacteria. The environment you grow up in matters too. More exposure to germs and bacteria, within reason, can strengthen our microbiomes. Emotional stress can also affect gut bacteria.
Can you tell if you’re having health problems in your gut?
When the microbiome is thrown out of balance for any reason, it’s often easy to tell. Bloating, gas, diarrhea, stomach pain or nausea are all pretty direct signs that something in the gut isn’t working as it should.
How can I maintain my gut health?
You don’t have to know exactly what’s going on in your gut at all times. And as long as you’re following doctor’s orders for overall health, you’re likely benefiting your microbiome. Follow a balanced diet, stay hydrated, exercise regularly and get a good night’s sleep. Similarly, the same habits that are bad for your heart, lungs and brain like cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol intake can also hurt the microbiome. Eating a wide variety of foods including plenty of fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains is the best way to encourage a diverse and healthy microbiome.
Marie Jordan, RN
