What Is Your Gut Health Telling You?

There are many thoughts behind what you should eat, how you should take care of yourself, what kind of “diet” you should follow etc… As a nutritionist I wanted to share what I believe is THE most important aspect of your health that you should be caring for; your gut health. What is Your Gut Health Telling You?

If it is, then your body has the ability to absorb nutrients properly, get rid of toxins efficiently and function at its optimal level. Even if your diet is pristine, your nutrient absorption will be compromised, inflammation will be present and much more could be going on.

How Does Nutrition Impact Your Gut Health?

Of course the food we consume satisfies our appetite and fills us up. But what we choose to nourish our bodies with can have a dramatic impact on our digestive system, our immune system, our nervous system, our reproductive system, our cardiovascular system, our microbiome — and ultimately, the rest of the body.

Side note: Microbiome basically means how your natural given genetic material is used and expressed in your body. Okay, carrying on.

So foods that are overly processed, loaded with sugar, or sprayed and injected with harmful pesticides and hormones can aggravate your small intestine, resulting in leaky gut which causes malabsorption and chronic issues with gastrointestinal imbalances. The barrier function of the small intestine is meant to keep non-nutrients out of the bloodstream, while only allowing fully digested nutrients in. When these imbalances take place due to food sensitivities, poor food choices and toxins, unwanted particles actually enter your bloodstream forcing your immune system to perform damage control.

When the immune system becomes activated because of leaky gut, numerous chronic or autoimmune conditions can result, like thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, digestive problems, depression, anxiety, a weakened immunity, and even infertility[1]. Yep, it’s true. Nutrition can be causing any or possibly all of these things in your body! Because 70 percent of the immune system actually lives in the gut, overall immunity is a good reflection of the health of one’s gut.

The same can be said for mental health as well. Although it is most likely not the only cause – emotional stress can trigger neuroinflammatory signaling, which can increase inflammation that leads to anxiety and depression. The brain, the immune system, and the gut are so closely connected.  They’re all intertwined and you can think of the gut as the electrical panel for all. The body is a single unit that works interdependently — no single body system functions without sharing space or function with one or more other body systems. This I know to be true: when the gut isn’t functioning as it should, it can have devastating results for the nervous and digestive systems, as well as the immune system and the reproductive system.

The Best Foods to Improve Your Gut Health

Alright, so what can you do to begin the healing process of your gut? Well, thanks to a booming field of research into gut health, we understand more and more how the foods that we eat can either help or harm or gut health and the beneficial bacteria that resides in the gastrointestinal tract.

Slowly start incorporating these foods into your lifestyle to support a healthy balanced gut:

• Bone broth: Rich in collagen, glycine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous, along with other nutrients that support digestive health, bone broth is an anti-inflammatory superfood. It also supports barrier function of the small intestine. Bone broth is a perfect addition to your diet because it’s easy to digest, it can help to settle the chronic upset stomach, and it packs a lot of nutrients into a little amount of food. It is also great for increasing fertility naturally.
• Fermented foods: Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that reside in the gut, and while supplementation can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, probiotics can also be obtained from dietary sources like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and pickled foods. Beyond probiotic benefits, fermented foods are also rich in fiber and vitamin C.
• Salmon, sardines, and other omega 3s: they pack a nutritional punch with anti-inflammatory omega-3s, protein, and vitamin B12, which is essential for neurological health.
• Leafy greens: Rich in folate, (also considered as the “pregnancy vitamin” because of its protective properties against neural tube defects), leafy greens like spinach, watercress, kale, romaine, and chard are must-haves in any healthy pregnancy diet. While folate has protective properties for fetal development, it’s also essential for the mother-to-be’s health by promoting a balanced nervous system and by potentially lowering the chance of developing postpartum depression.[5] My husband and I love getting in a dose of high-potency greens into our bodies by drinking a scoop of Organic Greens Juice every morning on an empty stomach!
• Antioxidant rich fruits: blueberries, cherries, raspberries, and other berry fruits are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and trace minerals that help to reduce inflammation and nourish the nervous system. They also carry a low glycemic index, so even if gestational diabetes is present or a risk factor, these fruits can be enjoyed without worrying about a carbohydrate overload.
• Protein: Amino acids are the building blocks of life, and protein is a major source of non-supplemental amino acids. Protein can also often be the most difficult macronutrient to consume enough of because it is harder to digest. Choosing quality proteins from grass-fed, pastured sources can improve digestion, but it’s also possible to get some of each day’s protein from bone broth, which contains an average of 6 grams of protein per cup of broth. You may also reach for our favorite organic vegan protein to whip up a smoothie or quick shake, collagen peptides or if you aren’t dairy sensitive a cup of organic plain greek yogurt would give you that protein boost PLUS probiotics!
• Sea salt: Iodized table salt is certainly not a health food, and should be avoided by people with blood pressure concerns. Celtic sea salt or Himalayan sea salt, is a mineral-rich seasoning that can help to restore electrolytes if you’re working out consistently and drinking plenty of water.
• Ginger: Oh ginger. One of my favorites. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory superfood that promotes healthy digestion. It can be consumed in raw form, thrown into a juicer (added to your celery juice), used as a tea, pickled, or taken in capsule form.
• Sip on some Turmeric before bed! We have a favorite warm cup of GOLD tea we mix up before bed every night. Michael loves it because it’s sweet and tastes like dessert, I mean me too, but I’m also a big fan for all of the anti-inflammatory benefits and that it also has medicinal mushrooms in it which has shown in improve sleep and detoxification while sleeping!

Where ever you find yourself right now on your journey, I hope that you know there is hope. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, working through digestive or other health issues, wanting to clear up your skin or trying to conceive. THERE IS HOPE. Start here by adding gut healthy foods into your diet and then go from there. One small healthy habit a day is a step in the right direction.

Now go do something today your future self will thank you for. <3