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Gut Health

A large part of your overall health can be found in your gut. Many people may not realize how important gut health is to your overall health.

The term gut health refers to the health of your whole digestive system (also called a GI system) as well as the health of microorganisms that live in your digestive tract. Your GI system is long and complex, and it includes your esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. As the food you eat travels through your digestive system, your GI tract breaks it down into various nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, etc.), and the microorganisms living in your large and small intestine use those nutrients to fuel your body’s biological cycles.

If your gut and the microorganisms in your GI tract are off balance or unhealthy it can create discomfort and issues for you.

As spring activities ramp up and summer vacations and schedule changes are on the horizon, let’s talk about simple ways you can focus on the health of your gut.

Signs of problems with your gut health

  • Constipation
  • Weight gain
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Constant fatigue

Simple steps to support gut health

  1. Follow healthy sleep habits – Prioritize getting 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.
  2. Consider probiotics and prebiotics – Talk with your provider about adding in a probiotic and/or a prebiotic to your daily routine. Supplemental healthy bacteria are shown to help correct an imbalance in the microbes in your gut.
  3. Make diet changes – Take a look at your intake of processed foods, high-sugar foods, fiber and fermented foods, and consider making some adjustments. Many Americans have diets too high in processed and high-sugar foods and too low in fiber-rich foods. In addition, fermented foods like kombucha, pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi and yogurt can work to strengthen your gut microbiome.
  4. Eat slowly – Try decreasing the speed at which you eat and take pauses between bites and courses.
  5. Stay hydrated – The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is between 2-3 liters of fluid a day.
  6. Lower stress levels – Chronic high stress can be taxing on your body. Consider stress outlets and activities to keep your cortisol levels lower.
  7. Move your body – Exercise is proven to help improve mental and overall health. Keep it simple and focus on easy, daily activities that you can do to get your body up and moving.

If you have been following these recommended steps and are not getting any relief, or if you’re concerned something else might be going on, give our office a call to set up an appointment today. Our team of doctors is able and ready to listen carefully and come alongside you to manage and treat your systems. Don’t let digestive discomfort disrupt your life; we are here to help.

Get a timely medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment from a

Gastroenterologist who will listen.

No Referral Required

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