Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission to fund my avocado habit if you use these links to make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You wont be charged any extra, and you will be keeping me supplied with avocados. Win win, really! I only ever recommend products, tools and services that I personally use and love. You can read my full affiliate disclosure HERE.
Who Should Give a đ©Â About Gut Health?
Gut health isn’t just a concern for people with gut issues. If you have a gut, this post is for you!
You’ve probably heard of the term ‘gut microbiome’ and are maybe aware that you have bacteria living in your gut? Well, did you also know that this ecosystem of microbes that live deep within our digestive system plays an active role in the maintenance of health as well as the development of disease[1]?â
Let’s have a look at some of the symptoms and conditions associated with damage to, or an imbalance of, the microbes in your gut:
Gastrointestinal symptoms, like:
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Gas
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Food sensitivities
- Abdominal pain.. etc.â
Extraintestinal symptoms, like:
- Weight gain
- Skin breakouts
- Joint pains
- Sinus congestion
- Brain fog
- Fatigue.. etc.â
Auto-Immune diseases, like:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Celiac disease
- Asthma
- Eczema
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Lupus.. etc.â
Metabolic conditions, like:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Gout
- Pancreatitis.. etc.â
Endocrine/hormonal conditions, like:
- PCOS
- Endometriosis
- Erectile dysfunction
- Infertility
- Hormonal cancers.. etc.â
Neurological conditions, like:
- ADHD
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s
- Migraines
- Anxiety and depression.. etc.â
Going on statistics alone, you’re probably already suffering from at least one of these ailments already?
As you can see, and a diverse, healthy gut microbiome has an effect on many more areas of the body than just the large intestine.
We are only just starting to understand the complex interactions between food, the microbiota and health, and of the TRILLIONS of microbes that make up our gut microbiota, only a relative handful of them have been identified and studied to confirm how they affect us.â However, what we do know so far is that the associations we are aware of between the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ microbes, and our health status are too compelling to ignore.
A simple answer to optimal gut health
The key to microbial diversity in the gut is plant diversity on the plate.
This is just a fancy way to say eat more plants… but really, it’s that simple!
Health-promoting bacteria feed on fibre, and fibre is found exclusively in plant foods (think: whole grains, beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds).
On the other hand, inflammatory bacteria love animal products (think: meat, poultry, fish, dairy and eggs) and simple, ultra-processed carbohydrates (think: white bread/pasta/rice and sugary treats).
For most of us, a diet centered around plant-based foods will be enough to keep our microbes thriving. That’s it; no pills, no potions, no surgeries. Just plants.
References:
- Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease, PMID: 31315227
