What’s Your Gut Health?

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ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Your gut contains trillions of bacteria that are important for your overall health and well-being … and some that aren’t. Ivanhoe reports on what you can do to protect your gut health.

Did you know the bacteria living in your gut affect your sleep, weight, digestion, cancer risk, mental health, and other important functions?

Bruce Stevens, PhD, Prof., University of Florida says, “This bacteria kind of steers our physiology, steers our basic health.”

Experts call this gut bacteria your microbiome. And a balanced microbiome is a healthy one.

Stevens, PhD explains, “Basically, there’s a chemical warfare that occurs between the good and bad guy bacteria.”

Luckily, there are some simple ways to boost your gut health. First, eat a diverse diet that includes a variety of whole, nutrient-rich foods. Try consuming more fermented products like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, or kombucha. They contain probiotics that help your gut balance itself. Also, drink coffee. That cup of joe has prebiotics, which are special plant fibers that help healthy bacteria grow in the gut. And get enough soluble fiber. It’s found in foods like oats, legumes, and fruit.

And, limit your use of antibiotics. They can wipe out healthy bacteria along with bad bacteria. Exercise can also boost the growth of a variety of gut bacteria. But there is research that has shown exposure to blue light before bed may have a negative impact on your sleep, which could affect the balance of bacteria in your gut. You might want to try blue light-blocking glasses to help you wind down and sleep better. With ways to boost your gut health.

Studies show the more diverse your diet is, the more diverse your gut bacteria is. And what you eat can impact your gut within 24 hours.

Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Roque Correa, Editor.

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-your-gut-bacteria-say-your-health

https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/how-to-eat-for-a-diverse-microbiota/

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/prebiotics-overview

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/5-things-every-day-gut-172310077.html

https://ray.lighting/excess-blue-light-cant-affect-my-gut-micro-bacteria-can-it/

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-your-gut-bacteria-say-your-health

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/5-things-every-day-gut-172310077.html

IS YOUR GUT AT WAR WITH ITSELF?
REPORT #3062

BACKGROUND: Gut health is an important aspect of overall health, as the gut is responsible for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. A healthy gut also plays a key role in immune function, hormonal balance, and mental health. The gut is home to trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiome. The microbiome plays a critical role in digestion and immune function, and an imbalance in the microbiome has been linked to various health issues. Diet is one of the most important factors that can influence gut health. A diet high in fiber, fruits and vegetables, and fermented foods can help promote a healthy microbiome. Common signs of poor gut health include bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and food intolerance. Other symptoms, such as skin issues, fatigue, and mood changes, can also be related to poor gut health.

(Source: https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-your-gut-bacteria-say-your-health

https://www.frederickhealth.org/news/2021/july/10-signs-of-an-unhealthy-gut/#:~:text=Frequent%20discomfort%2C%20gas%2C%20bloating%2C,have%20imbalances%20in%20the%20gut.

THE STUDY: Eating a diet that is high in fiber and nutrient-rich foods can help promote a healthy gut microbiome. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut can help improve gut health overall. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial for gut health and taking a probiotic supplement can help support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Drinking plenty of water can help keep your gut functioning properly by aiding in digestion and helping to prevent constipation. Avoiding too many antibiotics and blue light before sleep can also affect the balance of bacteria in your gut.

(Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/improve-gut-bacteria

https://ray.lighting/excess-blue-light-cant-affect-my-gut-micro-bacteria-can-it/

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-your-gut-bacteria-say-your-health

NEW REGULATIONS: Many healthcare professionals are recommending dietary changes and probiotic supplements to improve gut health and prevent certain health issues. Probiotic supplements are considered dietary supplements and are subject to FDA regulations for safety and labeling. There is increasing interest in the scientific community and among healthcare professionals regarding the importance of gut health for overall health and well-being. Any dietary supplements, including probiotics, should be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure safety and effectiveness. It is best to keep a diverse diet to ensure that your gut bacteria remains diverse and healthy as well. A greater diversity in gut microorganisms is directly linked to overall physical health.

(Source: https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2008/10/15/Regulation-Rules-and-health-claims-for-gut-health

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/

https://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/how-to-eat-for-a-diverse-microbiota/

* For More Information, Contact:

Bruce Stevens, PhD

stevensb@ufl.edu

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