4 Effective steps to Improve Gut Health

There are a great many ways of improving your gut health. Many of which consist of the implementation of probiotics and prebiotics into an individual’s daily routine. Other, more secondary lifestyle changes, can be made to improve and manage gut symptoms. Each of these steps can be applied conjunctively to see a more significant improvement in overall health.

Resolving Gut Inflammation

Much of what we experience, when we have an unhealthy gut, is due to inflammation. This inflammation is caused by an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut. When the gut is inflamed, it makes it harder for our body to digest and break down foods. It also hampers our ability to absorb nutrients more effectively, and can lead to issues like anaemia, and unwanted cravings. 

Here’s how to improve gut health through more natural, holistic lifestyle practices.

Probiotics

A good probiotic will have millions (if not billions) of live microorganisms that help to support digestion and gut function. It is similar to fertilising your garden with good nutrients, so that the ecosystem may reach a balanced equilibrium. 

A probiotic can come in a number of different forms (food and supplements). Foods rich in probiotics are kefir, yoghurt, fermented foods (kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha), as well as apple cider vinegar. By implementing these foods into the diet, one can support the digestive system.

Probiotics can also be bought in a capsule or liquid, in the form of a supplement. It is important to look for a good quality probiotic, where it is manufactured and stored in cool areas to prevent the good microorganisms from dying. 

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are foods that fuel the healthy microbes in the gut. These foods are usually high sources of fibre, that help to feed the healthy microbes in the gut. These foods may include healthy seeds like chia and flax, whole grains and legumes. 

One can also supplement with a good prebiotic from a local health store or pharmacy. Using this in conjunction with a balanced diet will ensure maximum results.

Stress management

Stress is a leading factor in gut health issues, and vice versa. It is important to practice stress management in our everyday lives, to reduce the effect it has on us physically. These stress management strategies may look like yoga, therapy, meditation, breath control and general self care.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a great tool to implement in an everyday routine. It can be used in every aspect of our lives to manage stress. It involves focusing on our present state of being, and accepting, acknowledging and nurturing our feelings. Often, we wire ourselves to think about a future we have no control over. This leads to unnecessary tension and, eventually, burnout. By reprogramming our minds to think in the present, we may avoid unnecessary mental burdens, and alleviate stress.

Summary

It is essential to take a close look at our state of being, and learn from what our bodies are telling us. Sometimes, the solution to a long-term issue is quite simple. By implementing small lifestyle changes, we can avoid and treat illness more effectively at its root. One can treat the gut directly from the core by using probiotic and prebiotic dietary supplements. One can also implement more holistic, long-term solutions by managing stress and mental burdens. Implementation of lifestyle changes helps patients avoid the intake of medication, thus reducing side effects while improving health outcomes.