Importance of Gut Health

What is Gut Health & Why Is It So Gosh Darn Important?

It’s strange to me how infrequently gut health is mentioned in conversations about weight loss, poor immunity, and mental health; it’s strange because the microbial balance of your gut is paramount to your entire health and wellbeing.

What is also strange is that many of our treatments for various health conditions seriously compromise the integrity of a person’s gut biome. From antibiotics to extreme dieting, when we focus on treating the symptom instead of the root cause, we tend to inflict further harm on our greatest defense – the gut. [1]   

Gut Bacteria and Mental Health

It’s not at all intuitive, but studies have found that inflammation in the gut is directly linked to serious mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression. [2] In fact, John Hopkins Medicine goes so far as to say that the gut is your second brain. [3]

“Hidden in the walls of the digestive system, this “brain in your gut” is revolutionizing medicine’s understanding of the links between digestion, mood, health and even the way you think.”

John Hopkins Medicine

There is no question that communication between the gut and the brain is a two-way connection. It allows the brain to influence the function of the gut and the gut to influence the function of the brain. [4]

A Link Between Gut Health and Autism

Once the existence of the gut-brain connection is acknowledged, it’s not difficult to see the implications on conditions like autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs). There is a growing body of research that has studied the link between gastrointestinal health and autism. [5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

In fact, recent clinical studies have found a high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammation, and dysfunction in children with autism. But the real kicker is that these clinical studies have also indicated that treating the digestive problems can have a positive effect on autistic behavior. [10]

Can improving gut health also improve autistic spectrum disorders?

That is the million dollar question, but a study published by The Journal Cell does indicate that the answer may be “yes.” In the study, when the bacteria  L. reuteri was reintroduced to the guts of mice that suffered from gastric problems and social disorders, researchers found that oxytocin levels were restored and social behaviors were improved. [11] Clearly, there is a significant connection between gut health and brain health, and by restoring balance to the flora of the gut, we may be able to treat serious social and mental disorders.     

Gut Microbiota and Immunity

Studies have also drawn a clear and significant link between gut health and human disease. [12, 13] Having been diagnosed with Lyme disease back in 2013, I am all too familiar with fighting bacteria, parasites, and a host of co-infections; however, it has only been in recent years, that I’ve connected the dots and focused my attention on improving the bacterial balance of my gut. The jury is still out, but I can honestly say that I haven’t felt this good or healthy in years.   

An article published by the Gastroenterology and Hepatology, a peer-reviewed journal, not only states that human gut microbiota contributes largely to our bodies ability to ward off disease, but also indicates that modifying the microbiota of the gut may be a solution to fighting off various pathogens (eg. viruses and bacteria).

The article continues by listing the three main immune functions of the gut microbiota:

• Production of immunoglobulin A (an antibody that is key to immune function)
• Promotion of anti-inflammatory cytokines
• Induction of regulatory T cells (which are responsible for regulating and suppressing other cells in the immune system). [14]  

Without a doubt, gut health plays a MAJOR role in our ability to fight off illness and disease. Additional studies have linked microbiota imbalance to digestive diseases [15], chronic liver diseases [16], and even bone loss [17].

Gut Bacteria and Metabolism

I’ll be the first to admit to crazy dieting. As a high schooler, I would have tried just about anything to lose weight.  I have gone from starvation diets and calorie counting to high-fat intake and metabolism “boosters”. I would also be lying if I didn’t confess that old habits die hard, and I still have to remind myself (fairly regularly) that healthy and strong is the new sexy.

What I didn’t realize is that all of these approaches to weight management can lead to a significant imbalance in the gut flora and lead to inflammation. What I also didn’t realize is that maintaining a balanced gut microbiota is key to warding off serious metabolic diseases and maintaining a healthy weight. [18, 19, 20, 21, 22]

Studies have shown that there is a clear connection between gut bacteria, gastrointestinal inflammation, and metabolic diseases (like obesity and diabetes).

Imbalance of gut bacteria ➡️ Inflammation ➡️ Metabolic diseases

Good Vs. Bad Gut Bacteria

Before continuing with this point, it is important to note that not all bacteria is bad. In fact, probiotics are bacteria – but instead of inflicting damage and inflammation on our bodies, they actually help with digestion and promote wellbeing. On the flip side, there is also bad bacteria that inflicts damage on our bodies, causes inflammation, and promotes poor health.

When looking for the cause of gastrointestinal inflammation, it was determined that bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was a triggering factor. [23]  The good news is that the study concluded that a potential way to treat metabolic disease could be to lower the concentration of LPS. Again, if we are able to create a microbial balance in our guts, then we may be able to help address a wide assortment of other related health concerns.

Sidenote: the study found that a high-fat diet chronically increases the amount of LPS concentration (something to consider when picking your next meal).       

It’s Time to Remember the “Forgotten Organ”

What we eat directly impacts how well we think, our ability to fight off pathogens, and whether we develop serious metabolic diseases. So the next logical question is, “How can I promote a healthy gut microbiota?”

Because this is such a significant and large topic, we’ve decided to create a three-part blog series.

• Part Two: we explore the dietary adjustments that could significantly improve the state of your gut (all supported with research, of course).
• Part Three: we see how stress and mental health plays a huge role in balancing the bacteria of our guts.

If you have a question regarding gut health or would like information on different health-related topics, please shoot us a message — we would love to hear from you!

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*Generic Disclaimer: Chris and I are not medical professionals – if you have any pressing medical concerns, please consult your doctor.