Is healing your gut the ultimate remedy to all your wellness woes?

Gut health has emerged as an overlooked bodily system that is now garnering attention for its holistic yet unsung impact on our well-being. Dubbed our “second brain,” the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in our overall health, from our digestion to mental health. Simply put, the gut microbiome houses trillions of bacteria and influences not just how we process food, but also how we feel and think.

While enough is known to deem our gut important, there’s certainly loads more to unpack. What exactly does our gut health constitute? How can we improve our gut health? How does the gut impact our overall well-being? There are a lot of questions, so we reached out to an expert Dr Amber Charoen, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Gastro Health in Kennewick, WA, to learn more about gut health. 

Breaking it down

Dr Charoen delves into the science saying, “Studies show that the gut microbiome is closely linked to our immune system. A healthy gut flora supports the immune system. Disruption of this balance that maintains our gut barrier can lead to chronic inflammation, which can increase the risk of autoimmune diseases. Neglecting one’s gut health can not only lead to autoimmune conditions but can also cause chronic fatigue, indigestion, and acid reflux among other problems. Experiencing prolonged periods of illness negatively impacts one’s mental health as well as quality of life.”

Contemporary stressors to our gut 

Dr Chareon elaborated, “In today’s lifestyle, we are exposed to processed foods, microplastics, and chemicals that are bad for our digestive health. These foods are tasty, convenient, and readily available. However, they typically contain high sugar and unhealthy fats, which can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome.”

It’s common knowledge that artificial sweeteners and preservatives found in processed foods can harm the gut lining and microbiome. “A large amount of food and drink containers are made of plastic, leading to prolonged exposure to microplastics. The accumulation of microplastics in the body may potentially cause inflammation as well as disrupt the gut microbiome,” adds Dr Chareon. Contemporary lifestyles are often stress-ridden and it’s no surprise that, “Stress levels can contribute to gastrointestinal conditions. Often, lifestyle changes can be effective as a first line of treatment.” She also advises against neglecting proper hydration. 

Moderation and balance is key

In our fast-paced lifestyles, steering clear and cutting out processed and carb-heavy foods is idealistic, so what can be done? Dr Chareon affirms, “You can still enjoy eating out and maintain a healthy lifestyle by being mindful of your food choices. Focus on selecting restaurants that offer healthy dishes or products, such as organic products, dishes rich in vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.” Dr Chareon also recommends “(to) avoid deep-fried items, and consuming meats and desserts regularly. Regulating your portion size to smaller ones helps manage calorie intake. Limiting foods and beverages high in sugar along with trying to reduce alcohol consumption are also practices easy to incorporate yet gut-healthy.” An excess of anything can be harmful, one must intentionally strive to strike a balance!

For the sweet tooths, gut-friendly desserts don’t have to be unsavoury. Bakeries like The Cinnamon Kitchen are transforming the landscape of desserts, with in-house recipes that are vegan, gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, and most importantly, gut-friendly. Founder Priyasha Saluja says, “I came to a realisation that many "healthy" snacks in the market contain hidden sugars and preservatives. To combat this, I started experimenting with food to create healthy, nutritious, and delicious meals.” Everything they serve is plant-based, gluten-free, and free of refined sugars. 

Ditch Caffeine

A lot of us often kick start our day with a cup of coffee or tea. The kicker is usually caffeine, which helps energise us but isn’t particularly friendly to our gut in the long run. Dr Chareon attests to the gut-friendliness of Japanese matcha tea. She explains, “Matcha tea is considered gut-friendly due to its high level of catechins and other bioactive compounds, which act as antioxidants to reduce inflammation and promote gut health. While the presence of L-Theanine, an amino acid, can promote relaxation, and prebiotics facilitate healthy gut bacteria.” So, ditch your morning cup of coffee every now and then for a matcha latte instead to melt your stresses in the same manner while keeping your gut in mind.

It’s a good idea to pick ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha tea, say from premium brands like ILEM Japan or Glowglossary. ILEM JAPAN's Matcha Japanese Tea is cultivated authentically in Japan and readily available in India. Packed with antioxidants, the tea shields against stress, while providing calm, focused energy, and aiding in digestion. GlowGossary’s matcha kit is the all-in-one for your matcha needs. It comes with Koicha stone-grounded matcha, also authentically picked in Japan, along with a matcha whisk and bowl. 

Take small steps every day

A little can definitely go a long way in developing gut-friendly habits. “I personally like to practice integrative gastrointestinal approaches in a holistic way. I truly believe that the best success involves more than just medication—lifestyle modifications are also key,” says Dr Chareon.

“Lifestyle modifications include adjusting our sleep patterns to a consistent one and practising regular exercise to keep one’s health in check,” she added.

Going back to our roots and favouring home remedies is a refreshing choice to make. “There are several natural products that can help with abdominal pain, inflammation, and IBS, such as peppermint oil, turmeric, and caraway oil,” recommends Dr Chareon. All-natural oils are not unfamiliar to homegrown brands such as RAS Luxury Oils. Bookmark their 100 per cent Pure Peppermint Essential Oil. 

For those looking for a variety of organic supplements to choose from, the brainchild of Vibha Harish, Cosmix Wellness, has a philosophy of empowering individuals to achieve lasting wellness. “We believe knowledge is power. We don't simply offer products; we aim to educate our customers about the science behind their health. This empowers them to make informed choices about their well-being”, says Harish. Their gut-targeting supplement, My Happy Gut, incorporates potent herbs, like Ashoka root, Triphala, ginger, jeera, and mulethi. These bitters act as prebiotics, feeding the good bacteria that keep one’s gut happy and healthy. My Happy Gut utilises a holistic approach, promoting a balanced gut microbiome for a happier you, inside and out! 

Skin benefits

While its effects on our physical health have been extensively researched, can our skin really benefit from good gut health? According to Dr Chareon, “Gut health and skin health are interrelated, however, the exact mechanism is not clearly understood yet.” While the relation may not be completely understood, “many healthy foods that promote gut health are found to be good for skin health too,” affirms Dr Chareon. Said to have a positive impact on our skin, “Anti-inflammatory foods containing omega-3 can improve gut health by increasing the diversity of gut bacteria and reducing inflammation. Good gut health is also found to have positive effects on skin like hydration, oil production, and possible improvement in skin conditions like acne and eczema,” explains Dr Chareon.

The verdict

It may seem that keeping your gut health in check could be a cure-all, but Dr Chareon cautions us against this notion. “Like most things in life, everything has its pros and cons. There is no magic drug, supplement, or food that works for everyone.” Focusing on your gut is nevertheless an integral choice to make for a well-rounded positive impact on our well-being, be it your skin, mental health or physical health. 

Lead image credit: Pexels 

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