Transform your gut health

Hippocrates said, “All disease begins in the gut”, and if this is true, then I would argue that all health also begins in the gut.

Your gut health plays a crucial role in your overall health and vitality. It affects not only your digestive system but also influences your immune function, mental well-being, weight management, and even your skin health. Consequently, it's essential to understand how to maintain a healthy gut.

First of all, I, like many others in the health coaching world, have a personal story related to my practice. I spent years uncomfortable in my body, suffering from symptoms like extreme belly bloat, gas, constipation, and eventually mental health challenges including body image issues, depression, OCD, and anxiety with panic attacks.

At the time, I had no idea that these were all related. And, being so uncomfortable led me to believe my body didn’t work normally and that I could never be thin.

It seems so obvious to me now that these are all related, but at the time, no one looked at me holistically and helped me to make these connections. That’s why I’ve made it my goal to help others like you uncover these connections for yourself. 

So let’s dive into practical tips, evidence-based information, and actionable steps to transform your gut health. Whether you're dealing with digestive issues or simply looking to enhance your overall wellness, this post has got you covered.

Common gut health issues and symptoms

Many people suffer from gut health issues without even realizing it. Common symptoms include bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. These symptoms can be caused by various factors, including an imbalance in the gut microbiome, food intolerances, stress, and poor dietary choices.

To identify the root cause of your gut health issues, a journal may be helpful to track your symptoms. This will help you identify patterns and potential triggers.

Additionally, consulting with a professional or health coach (like me!) can provide valuable insights and guidance.

The gut-brain connection and its impact on overall health

Did you know that your gut and brain are closely connected? This is known as the gut-brain axis, and it plays a significant role in your overall health and well-being. The communication between your gut and brain occurs through the vagus nerve and various chemical messengers including dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.

An unhealthy gut can contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, something I personally struggled with. On the other hand, a healthy gut can enhance cognitive function, mood, and emotional well-being. Taking care of your gut health is not only beneficial for your digestive system but also for your mental health.

The gut-immune connection

The gut is also home to about 70% of the immune system. You read that right - 70%! This is what Hippocrates must have been talking about when he said “All disease begins in the gut.”

I want to break that quote down by explaining the role of the gut. The gut has 3 main functions:

1. Digestion
2. Absorption
3. Elimination

Digestion, which is the breakdown of food into substances that can be used by the body, takes place throughout the entire digestive tract. (If you want a solid overview of how this works, make sure to download a free copy of The Primary Secrets for Healthy Digestion.)

While all of this digestion is taking place, absorption is actually taking place right alongside of it, primarily in the small intestine. Absorption is key because that’s how the nutrients that we’re eating in our food get into our bloodstream.

And elimination - we can’t forget about that. Elimination is not to be taken lightly. It’s an extremely important process that we should be doing at least once per day. Elimination is crucial for good health because with that waste goes the toxins and free radicals that cause damage to our cells and can ultimately lead to chronic illness.

So basically, we need to not only be eating nutrient-dense food, but we also need to make sure that we are digesting it appropriately enough so that those nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream and sent to the cells and systems that need them to function and thrive. AND on top of that, we need to be sure we are eliminating all of the toxins and waste products out of our bodies so that they aren’t doing us any damage!

3 easy steps to optimize your gut health

Some simple steps you can start to consider straight away include:

1. Look at your diet.

You don't have to make drastic changes to your diet. There is a misconception that the diet is what caused the issues. The truth is, your diet alone didn't cause these challenges. There are a number of different factors at play here. However, your diet CAN help the issues. Try to add more fiber to your diet and try to reduce heavy oil foods that can cause blockages in your system. Think of your intestinal and gut area like the pipes in your home. Oils can block your pipes, right? This happens in your gut too. This makes digestion slower and it can increase the amount of toxins leaking out into your system. So, consider that when you make changes to your diet overall. 

2. Drink more water.

The truth is, simply drinking more water can help. It won't cure the gut health issues but water offers several benefits. It can help with the breakdown of the food you are eating which makes it easier to digest and easier to move out of your system. It makes absorption of minerals and supplements easier by allowing your system to be hydrated and ready to absorb nutrients. It also helps you keep hydrated which can help with overall health. That being said, remember this is pure water. This is not water that has been added to a drink like coffee or even some tea. You can totally flavor it up yourself though by adding in lemons, ginger, cucumber, mint, there are so many options out there! 

3. Consider a probiotic.

Sometimes your system needs a little boost to help things along. Though you can do this with food and water, you may need a bit more support. Even supplements may not do what you need. One thing that will help your digestion and gut health, especially with leaky gut, is adding probiotics. You can find these in tasteless powder blends that can be added to everything from water to coffee. You can also find them in daily chewables or even in food and drinks like yogurt, kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, tempeh, and anything fermented.

There are other ways to improve your gut health, but these are the most common and easiest to put into effect into your life straight away. By putting these three things into action, you can see a quick improvement in your gut health and an ongoing improvement in your overall wellness. 

Which one are you trying today?

If this is something you struggle with, I want you to know you’re not alone! It has been a lifelong journey for me and it’s my goal to help women like you manage your symptoms. Schedule a free connection call with me here so we can talk about your symptoms and how I can support you one-on-one. 

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