Yes, yes, it really is ALL about the gut. Your overall health and wellbeing very much depends on how healthy your gut is.
Some gut facts
- Our gut (small and large intestine) is approximately 6-8 metres in length
- 1.5-2 kilograms of bacteria reside there.
- These bacteria make up our eco-system or gut microbiome.
- There are billions of different species of bacteria. The most commonly known ones are the lactobacillus and bifido bacterium species.
So what do these bacteria do?
- Help digest our food
- Destroy toxins
- Protect us from harmful invaders
- Make essential amino acids and vitamins
- Make neurotransmitters such as serotonin (our “happy hormone”)
- Recent research indicates that the gut bacteria are beneficial to the human metabolism, the immune system, and they even interact with our brains.
What can cause an imbalance in our bacteria?
- Diets high in sugar and processed food and low in fibre
- Medications: particularly antibiotics, steroids, protein-pump inhibitors
- Recreational drugs, alcohol
- Stress
- Gastroenteritis
- Chronic illness
- Travelling
Symptoms of an unhealthy gut
- Digestive, i.e. constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, abdominal pain, reflux, indigestion, excessive burping or flatulence
- Sugar cravings
- Bad breath, food allergies or sensitivities
- Anxiety, moodiness, or depression
- Skin disorders: acne, eczema, or psoriasis
- Frequently sick: colds and flu
- Auto immunity
- Hormone dysregulation
Treat the underlying causes
At BNWC we can help you find the underlying cause to your symptoms and treat it appropriately with diet, lifestyle changes, nutrients, and herbal medicine.
