The human body is a system of closely linked organs; a problem with one small part will affect the whole body. The same goes for gut health. Learn how gut health affects your mood, immunity, and chronic conditions—and how primary care providers at Northern Medical Center take a whole-body approach to treatment.
1. What Is Gut Health
Gut health is a fairly broad concept; it is often understood as the well-being of the digestive system, which is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste from the body. It is home to trillions of microorganisms—including bacteria, viruses, and fungi—that are collectively known as the gut microbiome, as defined by the AMA.
Another approach that is widely accepted by most gastroenterologists is that gut health actually refers to the balance and diversity of the microbiota, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., in our digestive system. So a healthy gut includes efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients, absence of gastrointestinal disease, and a favorable balance of gut microbiota.
2.How gut health affects the whole body
Good gut health is linked to the health of all other systems in the body, including mental health, the immune system, autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, skin conditions, and cancer.
Mental health: The gut is able to send signals to the brain and vice versa through three connections:
- Chemical connection: The gut microbiome produces neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are brain chemicals that make us happy and help regulate mood and behavior. In fact, 95% of serotonin, also known as the happiness hormone, is produced in the gut.
- Hormonal connection: Through a link in the brain called the HPA axis, our hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, and gut influence this response.
- The physical connection between the gut and the brain is via the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system. This system controls specific body functions such as digestion, heart rate, and the immune system—generally things that are outside of our conscious control.
Immunity: Gut health is important for the immune system because 70% of your body’s immune cells are located along your digestive tract. So a healthy gut will help you get sick less often, reduce your risk of allergies, and help your immune system function more effectively.
Besides, the intestinal mucosa acts as a protective barrier, preventing any harmful molecules from passing through or interacting inappropriately with the immune system.
Body growth: Nutrition is an essential human need to ensure energy for daily activities. When one of the organs in the digestive system has a problem, the nutrition provided to the body is deficient, leading to malnutrition and affecting intellectual development, especially for children in the growing stage, people who have just had surgery, etc.
Heart disease: Certain gut bacteria have been linked to cholesterol and heart disease. For example, TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide) is a compound produced when gut bacteria break down certain nutrients, especially from red meat. High levels of TMAO have been linked to cholesterol buildup in blood vessels leading to atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Diabetes: An imbalance in the gut microbiome can lead to metabolic disturbances and exacerbate insulin resistance, making it more difficult to control blood sugar levels.
Alzheimer’s disease: The link between Alzheimer’s disease and gut health is a growing area of research. Studies suggest that an imbalance in the gut microbiome may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Cancer: Gut dysbiosis can adversely affect the immune system and trigger the formation of malignant tumors, including esophageal cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. In contrast, preparations containing probiotics—some probiotic strains—have the ability to directly inhibit tumor growth, promising to contribute to the success of cancer treatments.
Chronic conditions: A healthy gut involves a balance of beneficial and pathogenic bacteria. Dysbiosis and leaky gut can trigger chronic inflammation, a key factor in many autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.
3. Signs of poor gut health:
Gastrointestinal discomfort, such as bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn.
Secondary food intolerance (no clear cause): Recent evidence has revealed that food intolerance may be caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and a decrease in the amount of good bacteria in the gut.
General symptoms that are vague and unrelated to disease include unintentional weight changes, sleep disturbances, skin problems, mood changes, and even frequent infections or constant fatigue without a specific cause.
4. Gut health supplements:
Probiotics and prebiotics are two gut health supplements that are often mentioned today. Although the names sound quite similar, probiotics are beneficial bacteria, and prebiotics are food for these bacteria.
Probiotics: Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts found in certain foods or supplements. They are thought to help restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut (including the stomach and intestines) when it is disrupted by illness or treatment, such as after a long course of antibiotics.
- Probiotics in foods appear to be safe and have few side effects for most people. Some common probiotic foods include yogurt (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium), kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and kombucha.
- Gut health supplements: Probiotic supplements are available as pills, powders, or liquids that contain live bacteria or yeast. Read the label carefully about the type of bacteria, the formula, the quality of the product, and how it should be stored to choose the right product. There are some groups of people who should not take probiotics, such as those with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or who are sensitive to ingredients in the supplement.
You should consult with a healthcare professional—someone knowledgeable about gut health supplements—before deciding to purchase or use any supplements.
Prebiotics: Prebiotics are a type of fiber that is poorly digested in the stomach and small intestine, remaining almost intact when reaching the large intestine. Prebiotics are both a food source for beneficial microorganisms in the large intestine and have the role of stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria already present in the intestine.
Animal prebiotics are derived from breast milk, cow’s milk, goat’s milk… Prebiotics are abundant in breast milk, with a content of 15-23 g/l in colostrum and 8-12 g/l prebiotics in regular milk.
Plant prebiotics are found in asparagus, sugar beet, garlic, chicory, onion, Jerusalem artichoke, wheat, honey, banana, barley, and tomato but have quite low content, so scientists are currently researching how to produce prebiotics on an industrial scale.
Prebiotic supplements are available on the market in many forms, such as tablets, powders, and solutions.
There are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure safety and effectiveness. First, you should start with a low dose and gradually increase. This will help you avoid side effects such as bloating and indigestion. Second, you should choose prebiotic sources from natural foods instead of only using preparations. Finally, always read the instructions carefully. If you have any health problems, consult your doctor before beginning consumption.
5. How Primary Care Supports Your Gut Health at Northern Medical Center
Screen for digestive symptoms during regular checkups
At Northern Medical Center, the experienced primary care physicians will thoroughly assess your medical history and symptoms to diagnose bowel health conditions, including celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
They have experience successfully treating these conditions, and if the problem is more complex, they will refer you to a gastroenterologist for a more accurate diagnosis.
Offer nutritional guidance and gut health supplements when needed
At Northern Medical Center, we provide you with nutritional solutions, including healthy eating guidelines and personalized gut health supplements, to help you achieve a healthy gut microbiome.
Order stool, food sensitivity, or microbiome tests if symptoms persist.
You will be closely monitored, and your symptoms will be reassessed after a course of treatment. If necessary, our doctors will order tests, including stool, food sensitivity, or microbiome tests.
Address gut-related mental health concerns with collaborative care options
Northern Medical Center understands the gut-brain connection and how gut health affects overall health. We have established a team of gastroenterologists, psychologists, and nutritionists who effectively cooperate to treat your gut-related mental health issues.
Conclusion
Healthy gut, happy life. Our enthusiastic members of Northern Medical Center want to accompany you on the path towards a healthy and happy life. Call us at 845 800 5118 for appointment or book online at here.
References:
- Gut health: definitions and determinants
Staudacher, Heidi M., et al.
The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Volume 6, Issue 4, 269 - Davani-Davari D, Negahdaripour M, Karimzadeh I, Seifan M, Mohkam M, Masoumi SJ, Berenjian A, Ghasemi Y. Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications. Foods. 2019 Mar 9;8(3):92. doi: 10.3390/foods8030092. PMID: 30857316; PMCID: PMC6463098.
- Youssef M, Ahmed HY, Zongo A, Korin A, Zhan F, Hady E, Umair M, Shahid Riaz Rajoka M, Xiong Y, Li B. Probiotic Supplements: Their Strategies in the Therapeutic and Prophylactic of Human Life-Threatening Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Oct 19;22(20):11290. doi: 10.3390/ijms222011290. PMID: 34681948; PMCID: PMC8537706.