Nearly 70% of your immune system resides in your gut, and science is beginning to discover how gut health impacts overall wellness. From skin concerns like rosacea to digestive complaints like constipation, many chronic health issues may have their roots in the internal bacteria flora. Each of our bodies plays host to about 100 trillion microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They’re so prevalent, that scientists think the ratio of these microbes to our own cells is one-to-one. The number one spot these little guys congregate is in our gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). So many are present there that it contains somewhere between one to two kilograms of them.
These gut microorganisms play crucial roles in our bodies’ functioning. They’re instrumental in everything – from how our digestion and immune systems operate, to regulating our moods and inhibiting inflammation.Your body can’t function without them, and exists in a symbiotic relationship with these friendly bacteria. Your skin, your mood, and your immune system all depend on how well you’re digesting things. Even 95% of your body’s serotonin, one of the most important chemicals for maintaining mood, is made in your bowels! There are enough nerve endings in the gut that it has earned the title of the second brain.
Your microbiome (gut bacteria) is affected by many different factors, including how you’re born, and whether you’re breastfed, which medicines and antibiotics you take, as well as which foods you eat. Beyond Health and Wellness focuses on balancing the microbiome. While the research is still out on the full details, preliminary evidence suggests that certain bacteria and food can traverse the lining of the gut. From there, they enter the bloodstream, sparking inflammation. This inflammation can play a part in a number of conditions from chronic constipation to diarrhea, and everything in between, digestive issues can be pretty uncomfortable. This is commonly referred to as leaky gut syndrome.
If you’re experiencing digestive difficulties, a naturopathic doctor can help you track down the root causes. The good news is you don’t have to resign yourself to living with uncomfortable GI symptoms. Speak to a naturopathic doctor at the Beyond Health and Wellness center about how they can help you rebalance your microbiome for a healthier gut. The goal isn’t just to mask your symptoms with supplements (or medications you were prescribed in the past), but to sort out the underlying issues that are causing the symptoms themselves so that you can be done with them, once and for all!