Hi girl.

Here’s what’s up:

The gut is the “control center” of our body and health.

It does way more than just help us digest food properly.

In fact...

If your gut doesn’t feel right, NOTHING feels right.

Because everything starts there.

If you didn’t know, there’s something doctors call the Gut-Brain Axis where the brain and the nervous system communicate with the functions of our intestines so that everything can happen in sync within our body.

So the gut is in charge of MUCH more than just digestion.

That’s why in today’s blog I want to tell you about 10 key functions of the gut:

1. Immune System Regulation:

70% of our immune system resides in the gut. A healthy gut microbiome helps maintain immune homeostasis and protects us.

2. Mental Health:

The gut-brain axis plays a role here. Our gut health impacts mood, stress levels, and cognitive functions. An imbalanced gut microbiome has been linked to conditions like anxiety, depression, and even neurodegenerative diseases.

3. Metabolic Functions:

The bacteria in our gut plays a crucial role in metabolizing nutrients, vitamins, and medications. They help produce essential vitamin B and vitamin K and are involved in the metabolism of bile acids, sterols, and xenobiotics.

4. Hormone Regulation:

Our gut influences the production of various hormones, most notably those linked to our appetite (like leptin and ghrelin) as well as stress (like cortisol).

5. Inflammation and Chronic Diseases:

An unhealthy gut can lead to systemic inflammation, contributing to the development of chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

6. Skin Health:

There’s also a Gut-Skin Axis. It refers to the influence of gut microbiota on skin health and inflammation. If disrupted, get ready for eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

7. Nutrient Absorption:

A healthy gut ensures the efficient absorption of nutrients, including minerals and vitamins, which are essential for overall health and well-being.

8. Detoxification:

The gut microbiome helps in detoxifying harmful substances, including environmental toxins, drugs, and carcinogens, preventing them from causing damage to the body by getting them out of our system.

9. Weight Management:

What happens inside our gut influences energy balance, fat storage, and overall metabolism, impacting body weight and the development of obesity.

10. Bone Health:

Gut bacteria helps digesting and absorbing minerals like calcium, which are vital for maintaining strong and healthy bones.

And that’s it, girl!

Hope it’s clear now that gut health goes beyond just digestion.

Maintaining a healthy gut through a balanced diet, probiotics, and lifestyle choices can contribute to improved health all-around.

Xoxo,
Marina