Gut Health

The gut is home to over 100 trillion microorganisms! That’s roughly 10 times the number of human cells in an entire body, and equates to about 70% of the entire immune system. Science is in the early stages of understanding the significance of this beneficial flora on our overall health, but the message thus far is clear – we need them to survive, and thrive!The gut is often referred to as the ‘second brain’ because of its ability to influence emotional health and vice versa. Like ‘butterflies’ when you’re nervous or feeling anxious after a sugar binge. This is because the brain and gut are derived from the same tissue, and therefore use many of the same chemical messengers to perform their respective functions. In fact, 90% of serotonin, the ‘happy neurotransmitter’, is produced in the gut!

• Poor diet – refined sugar, processed foods, food sensitivities, etc.
• Toxins – pesticide residues, food additives, BPA in food storage containers, etc.
• Some medications – antibiotics, acid blockers, NSAIDs
• Stress – difficult relationships, work pressures, financial concerns, etc.
• Gastrointestinal infections – parasites, candida overgrowth, H. pylori, etc.

With time, the above factors can compromise the integrity of the gut lining, causing nutrient malabsorption, and intestinal permeability or ‘leaky gut’ – a condition that can lead to an overactive immune system associated with autoimmune processes such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Other health conditions, such as eczema, autism and depression have also been linked to a compromised intestinal barrier.