I believe that gut health is a topic you are going to see a lot more of in the news.
Gut health and our general health are interconnected, but, not where if one is healthy the other will be healthy as well. Instead, it's our gut we need to keep healthy in order for the rest of us to be healthy.
If our gut is unbalanced, our health will be impacted.
What exactly is our gut, though? Our gut (gastrointestinal tract) is the long tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the back door of our body (the anus).
The major players of our gut are the oesophagus, the stomach, the small and large intestines, and the anus. Dr. Susan Steeves, naturopathic doctor at South Delta Integrative Healthcare (southdeltaintegrative.com), says first and foremost we need proper gut health in order to absorb the nutrients that are in the foods that we eat. By absorbing our foods properly, we are able to produce the energy needed to live.
A healthy gut will also improve our moods, ensure our body is in good repair and boost our immune function.
Science has linked gut imbalances to a number of problems ranging from hormonal imbalances, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, eczema, rosacea, as well as a host of other chronic health problems. Dr. Heli McPhie, naturopathic doctor at the Village Clinic (thevillageclinic.com), believes that restoring intestinal health is a vital part of restoring overall health. It's so important that she asks almost every patient about their diet and gut health.
How can you tell if your gut is unhealthy? Steeves explains that the symptoms of an unhealthy gut can range from unwanted gas to a complete inability to breakdown foods without pain and discomfort.
The most common symptoms include gas, boating, reflux, and irritable bowels.
However other symptoms, not necessarily thought as food-related, include headaches, joint stiffness, fatigue and frequent colds and flus to name a few.
To maintain a healthy gut both Steeves and McPhie stress the importance of a whole foods diet, from a variety of sources.
There are also specific foods that can help heal and support the gut.
Some examples are fermented foods including yogurt, kefir, kimchi, miso, kombucha and sauerkraut. Steeves recommends if you haven't tried these foods before to start with small portions and work your way up.
McPhie goes on to explain that she doesn't believe taking handfuls of supplements is the answer either. Start with your diet. Keep it clean and your gut will thank you.
And this makes sense because in the end we are ultimately what we eat, so if we eat crap, we should expect our body's to run likewise.
McPhie also asks her clients to chew their food properly (because your tummy does not have teeth), and to eat slowly and enjoy mealtime.
Eating too fast leads to gas, bloating and cramping, while not chewing your food properly can cause digestive problems.
Think of chewing your food as the first step to proper digestion.
And if you are still experiencing symptoms book yourself in with a naturopath and your doctor. I find a mix of both naturopathic and Western medicine a great way to address health issues.
PJ Wren is a local trainer and writer who enjoyed a chilled kombucha while writing this column. She can be reached at The Studio, Ladner's awardwinning group fitness studio, or at www.fitnesswithpj.com.
