2/5/2022
Balance is important in more ways than one--it encompasses many different things: work-life balance, being balanced physically, and mentally and emotionally balanced. But what about balance in your gut? Food is really powerful--more so than you may think. The gut is the center of the body, both literally and figuratively; gut health impacts almost every system within the body, and maintaining its state of equilibrium is vital for maintaining health.
The first and probably most important thing that gut health impacts is mental health. The gut and the mind have a direct connection. An example of this would be getting "butterflies" when nervous--the gut is very sensitive to mental triggers, but it also flows both ways. The gut microbiome helps create neurotransmitters in the brain, so when unbalanced, the brain does not work as efficiently. Serration is a good example of a neurotransmitter that is made in the gut. Without the gut producing these vital neurotransmitters, mental health can take a serious hit. Without serration, people can become depressed, have hormonal unbalances, and just be thrown off mentally.
Gut health can also improve or reduce heart health. Interestingly, there is microbiome in our gut that can actually hurt our heart if not regulated. Eating a diet of high animal products without probiotics, fiber, and healthy fats to balance could cause the body to make TAMO -- a chemical that contributes to blocked arteries and causes high cholesterol. Healthline does a good job describing this process:
This happens due to an imbalance in the system. Eating balanced meals that consist of a good balance of protein, carbs, healthy fats and fiber make it so that this kind of chemical reaction would not happen.
The gut also can affect weight, digestion, and blood sugar levels. But how can we keep our gut healthy? Gut health is easy to maintain with a balanced diet of whole and natural ingredients. Processed food does not have the same
natural chemicals and bacterias that our bodies need to function properly. Eating whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fermented foods, proteins, and probiotic rich foods are best for maintaining a healthy gut.
It was very interesting to read about some of the science that is involved with gut health. I try to eat a well-balanced diet, but it is sometimes hard to do so. Living in L.A. with such accessible, affordable restaurants around, I often find myself experiencing gut problems when I eat fatty and greasy foods. When this happens, I feel full and sluggish. I've only noticed this feeling recently, and I think gut health is a very important thing to consider.
This is a really great explanation of proper nutrition. I try my best to eat healthy/balanced, but a lot of diet information online doesn't focus on the importance of gut health, but instead on losing weight. If more fitness communities focused in on diets like this, there would likely be way less people developing eating disorders, and more people motivated to eat healthy to be healthy, and not just to be skinny.