Why Your Gut Is The Foundation Of All Health

The Father of Modern Medicine was certainly ahead of his time because research is increasingly proving that the gut really is the foundation of all health.

Even with an optimum diet, if our gut is not functioning as it should be, our health will be compromised. We won’t be able to properly absorb and utilise the nutrients from our diet, meaning our cells miss out on the vital nutrition they need. Poor elimination can lead to a build-up of waste and toxins in the intestines, which slowly poisons the body.

So, what causes poor gut health, and more importantly, how do we treat it?

Leaky gut syndrome

The barrier between us and the outside world is a layer of cells that line the gut known as epithelial cells. Maintaining the integrity of these cells is essential to prevent bugs and food particles from passing through into the bloodstream. Unfortunately, the modern lifestyle can make this barrier permeable (leaky), allowing particles to pass through into the bloodstream and creating a situation known as a leaky gut. Leaky gut syndrome is a problem as it causes a state of chronic low-level inflammation. Inflammation is at the root of most diseases, from auto-immune disorders to allergies.[1]

Dysbiosis

The other part of the equation is our gut bacteria. Our digestive system contains literally billions of bacteria – in fact up to two kilograms worth! The composition of that bacteria has wide-ranging impacts on our health – from our immunity to the size of our waistline.[2]

As it can damage our gut wall, the modern lifestyle of stress, processed foods, alcohol, sugar, antibiotics, and other medications can upset this balance of bacteria, harming the good guys and allowing bad bacteria to proliferate. This unhealthy balance of bacteria impairs immunity, promotes inflammation, and affects our digestive function.

A poor environment in the gut can also lead to candida overgrowth, a fungus that causes athletes' foot, thrush, food allergies, poor energy, brain fog, and bad breath. Candida overgrowth is a primary cause of leaky gut syndrome.

So how do you know if your gut isn’t happy?

Although we can’t see what’s happening in our tummy or the make-up of our gut bacteria, our body gives us plenty of clues if something isn’t right in our gut. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may need to look at healing your gut:

• Bloating
• Nausea
• Gas
• Bad breath
• Constipation
• Food allergies
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Poor energy levels
• Headaches
• ‘Brain fog’ and difficulty concentrating
• Auto-immune conditions
• Skin disorders (Acne, eczema, psoriasis).