Are you among the four in 10 Americans dealing with digestive issues every day? It’s more common than you may have thought, but the good news is you can change the status quo.
According to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), close to 40% of Americans have halted regular activities in the last year because of uncomfortable bowel issues. At a time when 60 million to 70 million Americans are struggling with gastrointestinal ailments that can complicate their daily lives, it’s essential to consider the benefits of good gut health. It’s not just about digestion either — as important as that is — so you’ll want to consider the issue carefully.
But what signs might indicate you have an unhealthy gut? Signs include, but aren’t limited to, an upset stomach, intolerance to some foods, extreme fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and unexpected weight loss or gain. If you’ve experienced one or more of these issues, don’t ignore them.
Seeing your doctor should be at the top of your agenda should you suspect your gut health isn’t where it should be. Continue reading to see six reasons why gut health matters.
- Enhances Digestion
One reason gut health matters is that it improves digestion. Various kinds of bacteria play different roles in metabolizing nutrients and can positively impact the body’s ability to take in vitamins and nutrients. The right bacteria can aid in keeping fermentation, such as yeast, under control and safeguarding against the overgrowth of pathogens that can trigger inflammation.
Your digestive system breaks down your food into nutrients that your body can utilize for growth, fuel, and cell restoration. So, achieving optimal gut health is essential.
- Prevents Aches and Pains
If your gut health is unbalanced, you may experience problems like acid reflux, abdominal discomfort, bloating, headaches, joint pain, and more. Have you experienced any of these uncomfortable problems? If so, you should consider your gut health. It might need attention.
While making an appointment to see your doctor can help, don’t overlook using health products. The best gut health products can help you achieve optimal gut health and the associated benefits.
- Enhance Your Gut Wall
Yet another reason to take your gut health seriously is that beneficial gut flora, also known as good bacteria, will fortify your gut or gastrointestinal wall. This will help ward off pathogens. Good bacteria trigger the cells’ immune functions to help prevent infections.
- Safeguard Against Severe Gastrointestinal Disorders
If your gut health is out of whack and left unchecked for too long, the long-term prognosis could be daunting. Intestinal inflammation, which is possible if you have bad gut health, can lead to inflammatory bowel ailments such as Crohn’s, colorectal cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome. The last thing you need is for gut health problems to jeopardize your quality of life, so being proactive can help to ward off problems that interrupt your daily routine.
- Regulate Inflammation
Gut bacteria will regulate, for better or worse, inflammation. That’s one reason to be mindful of your gut wall. When your gut wall is adversely impacted, pathogens may get into the bloodstream and trigger episodes of inflammation. If you’re having problems with inflammation, it makes sense to explore whether the problem might be related to your gut health.
- Protect Nervous System
Achieving good gut health is also about safeguarding your nervous system. The nerves in your gut relay information to your central nervous system about how your immune system and gut are functioning. Your enteric nervous system can manufacture serotonin and dopamine, which can affect your mental health and mood.
As you can see, gut health is vital. You need to ensure yours is in a good place. Speaking to your doctor and taking reputable gut products are also things you can do to protect your gut health.