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A while back, I was chatting with a friend about some issues I’d been having and before long, we were deep diving into gut health. Turns out that your gut health is hugely important and the truth is, it can directly impact many of your body’s systems and functions.
So I’m all ears today, and I’m sure you will be too, as Katie Lovitt, a functional gut health dietitian joins us to take a closer look at YOUR gut health and how it could be impacting your life.
Katie lives in the great state of Texas where her days are filled with love and laughter (and some chaos!) and shared with her husband, three children, and fluffy puppy dog.
Katie experienced firsthand how the conventional medical system fails people by not asking the questions “how” and “why”, especially around gut health. She is on a mission to empower thousands of women to get the answers they need in order to accomplish true healing from chronic gut symptoms. Katie believes that health is a lifelong journey and, if done properly, a fun and delicious one!
Gut health is essential.
Gut health is essential to our overall well being. It is the foundation of our physical, mental, and emotional health, and is an integral part of our body’s systems and functions. The gut is responsible for breaking down and absorbing the nutrients we consume, and for protecting us from external threats.
Hippocrates said centuries ago that “all disease begins in the gut,” and this is still true today. Our gut health can directly impact our immune system, our mental health, our metabolism, our hormones, and even our skin health. It is essential to maintain a healthy gut in order to stay healthy and strong.
There are many ways to improve gut health. Eating a balanced diet full of whole foods, avoiding processed foods, and taking probiotics are all great ways to support your gut. Additionally, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and exercising regularly can also help to improve your gut health.
It is important to take the time to take care of your gut health. If you are experiencing chronic gut symptoms, it is important to speak to a qualified professional to get the answers you need in order to accomplish true healing. Gut health is essential, and it is important to prioritize it in order to live a healthy and happy life.
Gut health is a complex system.
Gut health is a complex system that is connected to the brain, immune system, and hormones. It is incredibly important to understand the functions of the gut in order to properly take care of it. The gut helps to produce nutrients for the body, and it also helps to keep the barrier up and running in order to protect the gut from bad bacteria and organisms. The gut is physically connected to the brain via the vagus nerve, and about 75% of the immune system is located in the gut. This means that if the gut is inflamed, it can have an effect on the rest of the body. This can lead to autoimmune conditions, getting sick all the time, and even Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
It is also important to understand the role of probiotics in gut health. Probiotics are live bacteria that can help to restore balance in the gut microbiome. Probiotics can help to produce vitamins and short chain fatty acids, which help to build up the lining of the gut. When shopping for probiotics, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. It is important to speak to a qualified professional to get the answers you need in order to make the right decision.
Gut health is essential, and it is important to prioritize it in order to live a healthy and happy life. It is important to take the time to take care of your gut health. If you are experiencing chronic gut symptoms, it is important to speak to a qualified professional to get the answers you need in order to accomplish true healing. By understanding the functions of the gut and the role of probiotics, you can make the necessary lifestyle changes to ensure your gut health is taken care of.
Feed your good bacteria.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help to support a healthy gut flora. They help to keep the bad bacteria, or pathogens, in check, and they can help to reduce inflammation. When the good bacteria are in balance, they can help to protect against illnesses, such as food poisoning, and they can even help to promote weight loss. However, when the bad bacteria start to overgrow, they can cause problems, such as estrogen imbalance, inflammation, and even weight gain.
In order to ensure that your gut health is in optimal condition, it is important to feed your good bacteria. This means that you should be eating a diet that is full of fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods are what the good bacteria feed on, and they will help to keep the bad bacteria in check. It is also important to avoid sugary and starchy foods, as these are what the bad bacteria feed on.
Taking a probiotic can also be beneficial in order to support your gut health. However, it is important to be aware of the different types of probiotics available, as well as how they are stored and handled. It is best to purchase probiotics from a reputable source, such as a health care provider or a dispensary, in order to ensure that they are of the highest quality. Score-based probiotics are also a good option, as they are less likely to cause adverse reactions.
Feeding your good bacteria is essential in order to maintain a healthy gut. By making sure to include plenty of fiber-rich foods in your diet, avoiding sugary and starchy foods, and taking a high-quality probiotic, you can ensure that your gut health is in optimal condition. Taking the time to feed your good bacteria will be beneficial in the long run, and it will help you to live a healthier and happier life.
Gut health affects overall health.
Gut health has a direct impact on our overall health. When our gut is healthy, our bodies are better able to absorb nutrients that are essential for proper functioning. A healthy gut also helps to protect us from disease and illness, as it is the first line of defense against harmful bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately, many of us are not aware of the importance of gut health, which can lead to serious health issues.
The most common signs that our gut health needs attention are bloating, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, and foul-smelling gas. If these symptoms persist, it may be necessary to consult a doctor or a specialist in order to get a functional stool test and sequence the microbiome. This can provide a more targeted recommendation on how to improve gut health.
In addition to physical symptoms, gut health can also affect our mental health. Poor gut health can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. This is because the gut and brain are connected. When the gut is unhealthy, the brain can be affected.
There are several ways to improve gut health. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fiber-rich foods, avoiding sugary and starchy foods, and taking a high-quality probiotic are all great ways to start. In addition, getting regular exercise, managing stress levels, and drinking plenty of water can help to improve gut health.
Gut health is essential for overall health. By taking the time to feed our good bacteria, we can ensure that our bodies are functioning optimally. If we are experiencing physical or mental health issues, it is important to take the time to evaluate our gut health and take the necessary steps to improve it. Taking care of our gut health is the best way to ensure that our bodies are functioning properly and that we are living a healthy and happy life.
Relax and chew food slowly.
One of the most important things we can do to improve our gut health is to relax and chew food slowly. This may seem like a simple task, but it is essential for proper digestion. When we take the time to chew our food slowly, it helps to break down our food and allows our bodies to absorb the nutrients more efficiently. Chewing slowly also helps to reduce the burden on our digestive tract, which can be especially helpful if we are experiencing digestive issues.
Another important step to improving our gut health is to relax before we eat. Stress can have a negative impact on our gut health, so it is important to take the time to relax before we eat. This can help to reduce inflammation in the body and can also help to reduce digestive issues. Taking a few moments to smell our food and to enjoy the experience of eating can be incredibly beneficial for our overall health.
Gut health is essential for overall health and wellbeing. Taking the time to relax and chew food slowly can have a huge impact on our gut health and can help us to achieve optimal health. By taking the time to properly nourish our bodies, we can ensure that we are living a healthy and happy life.
Slow down and rest.
When it comes to gut health, it is important to take the time to prepare to receive our food. Taking a few deep breaths, smelling the food, and allowing our mouths to water can help us to get our digestive systems ready to receive the meal. When our mouths water before eating the food, our stomachs release about 20% of the stomach acid that it needs to break down the food. This stomach acid, when mixed with the food, is called chyme and it moves down into the small intestine.
In order to ensure that our bodies are able to digest the food properly, it is important to chew our food properly and to give our bodies 12 hours of digestive rest every night. Chewing our food properly helps to break down the food and gives our stomachs the time to release the necessary acids. Taking 12 hours of digestive rest every night gives our bodies the time to focus on repairing other structures and gives our guts the rest that it needs.
Taking the time to slow down and rest is essential for gut health. Taking the time to properly chew our food and to give our bodies the rest that it needs can help us to achieve optimal health. If we are struggling with digestive symptoms despite following these tips, it may be time to seek professional support. It is important to follow our health care provider’s advice and to get the help that we need to ensure that we are living a healthy and happy life.
Find the root cause of symptoms
When it comes to digestive issues, it is important to find the root cause of the symptoms. Traditional medicine can be helpful in diagnosing issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, it is often not enough to simply get a diagnosis and a prescription. Working with a professional who can provide support and help you understand the underlying causes of your digestive issues can be invaluable.
A holistic approach to gut health is key. This means looking at the whole person, including their lifestyle, diet, stress levels, and emotional wellbeing. It is important to understand how all of these factors can affect digestive health. Working with a professional to uncover the root cause of symptoms can help to create a personalized plan that takes all of these factors into account.
When working with a professional, it is important to set goals. A goal of seeing an 80 to 90% reduction in gut symptoms is a realistic and achievable goal. It is also important to focus on empowering the individual to have confidence in their bodies and to know when things are off and how to take steps to get back on track.
Ultimately, it is important to take the time to understand the root cause of digestive issues. Working with a professional who understands the complexities of our bodies and can help us to create a personalized plan can be invaluable. Taking the time to uncover the root cause of our symptoms can lead to a healthier and happier life.
Take action to grow
Taking action to grow is a key part of understanding and addressing digestive issues. It is important to take the time to research and understand the root cause of our symptoms. This can be done by consulting with a professional who is knowledgeable about our bodies and can provide us with a personalized plan. Additionally, connecting with other women who are going through the same thing can be very helpful. Being able to learn from each other and offer support and encouragement can be very powerful.
Taking action to grow can also include making lifestyle changes. Eating a balanced diet, getting adequate rest, and managing stress can all help to improve digestive health. Additionally, taking the time to pay attention to our bodies and listen to what they are telling us can be very beneficial.
Taking action to grow can be an empowering experience. It is important to remember that we don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward. Taking that one next step is often the best way to start.
Connect with Katie Lovitt!
- on Instagram @the_healthygut_dietitian
- on her Podcast “The Nourished & Thriving Show”
