Gut health continues to be a prominent topic featured in headlines and social media feeds. The coverage is warranted, because it is not a fad, but indeed a very important part of our overall well-being. Gut health is critical for adequate digestion. It is also required for a constitutionally strong immune system, mental health, skin health and integrity, hormonal health and the prevention of autoimmune and chronic illness.
In our more recent article, Gut Health Q&A, we explored the importance of gut health as it pertains to the immune system. We explained the meaning of “leaky gut” and provided some tips on maintaining gut health. In years past, we went into detail in an article titled, What’s in YOUR Microbiome? There we illuminated that mix of good and bad bacteria (actually located in several sites on the human body) that is casually referenced in every gut support supplement ad we see. If you want some background information, start with those articles. In this article, we explore other areas of health that you may not even realize are tied to your gut.
How does gut health protect overall health?
When we have a healthy gut, we have a healthy immune system that is tolerant to a variety of conditions. A chronically inflamed gut most always results in a compromised or inefficient immune response so illnesses can last longer and be more severe. Therefore, having a balanced gut and immune system is essential for optimal health.
Additionally, an inflamed gut causes an impaired intestinal membrane which leads to a loss of important micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. An inflamed gut prevents our body from absorbing these critical nutrients which our bodies need to maintain good health. To learn more about “leaky gut,” read our article, Gut Health Q&A.
Examples of nutrients critical for the growth and function of immune cells include vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, and protein (including the amino acid glutamine). Whether obtained through diet or taken as supplements, these micronutrients will not strengthen the immune system if the gut is in disrepair. In other words, you can take supplements every day, but if your gut isn’t absorbing them, you’re wasting your money and compromising your health!
How is mental health affected?
Neurotransmitter testing can help find the root cause of mental disorders. For example, testing can determine whether serotonin levels are low (which can lead to symptoms of depression). Holistic practitioners often give patients appropriate supplements to help increase serotonin as they simultaneously heal and repair the gut. With a healed gut, patients can eventually get the amino acids they need to naturally balance their neurotransmitters from their diet.
In contrast, conventional medicine may prescribe drugs, which are temporarily—if ever—effective. For example, doctors prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to patients diagnosed with depression. Those drugs are designed to do just what the name says. They don’t allow serotonin to be taken back up into the neurons, which is the way our bodies were designed to naturally balance our neurotransmitters. This forces more serotonin to stay in the brain. The most recent studies have shown that SSRIs don’t work very well except for the most severely depressed. It seems that low serotonin isn’t the only cause of depression. This may explain why a holistic approach, which reactivates natural processes in the body, may be a better approach.
Here’s a 2-minute video that explains how SSRIs are supposed to work, and why scientists are questioning whether they are actually effective for treating depression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiXcAbrO8kU
Help for ADD / ADHD
In another example, kids with ADHD are usually low in GABA. GABA is a calming neurotransmitter, and it’s responsible for attentiveness, the ability to focus for long periods of time and impulse control. GABA is made from l-theanine, which is a very common amino acid. However, even if you’re eating foods high in l-theanine, if the gut is in disrepair (“leaky gut”), the amino acids literally leak out of the gut before they can get into the bloodstream and to the brain. This may cause a neurotransmitter imbalance. Therefore, you must fix the gut first to rebalance GABA. An integrative practitioner may prescribe a pharmaceutical at first to help a child perform scholastically while natural interventions are taken to balance the gut naturally.
How does gut health affect skin health?
Most skin eruptions are caused by some disruption in the gut or impairment in the health of the gut. Eczema is a prime example. Eczema is the result of an upregulation (or sensitization) of the immune system. Triggers, usually in the form of food items, cause most topical eruptions. So, if you’re eating an inflammatory diet—which could be gluten, processed foods, sugar or foods you may be allergic to—then your gut becomes inflammatory. This sets up an environment for an inefficient, overactive immune system. For a more in-depth explanation about how gut health causes eczema and how salt therapy helps soothe symptoms while the gut is being healed, read our article, Healing Eczema: Beyond Skin Deep.
When we talk about gut health, we’re talking mostly about the small and large intestines, but the gut is part of a larger system—the digestive system—which includes the pancreas (which makes insulin) and the liver (which makes a lot of things, including bile and thyroid hormone).
How are the pancreas and blood sugar regulation affected?
Gut health has a direct impact on the pancreas and its ability to produce insulin, which is crucial for regulating blood sugar levels. When the gut is in good shape, it helps maintain a balanced microbiome, which in turn supports the pancreas by reducing inflammation and helping it respond properly to food. However, when the gut is unhealthy—say from an imbalance in gut bacteria or conditions like leaky gut—it can lead to chronic inflammation that makes it harder for the pancreas to produce insulin effectively. This can result in insulin resistance, where the body no longer responds to insulin properly, causing blood sugar levels to rise and increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Essentially, an unhealthy gut can throw off the body’s blood sugar regulation, leading to energy crashes, weight gain, and long-term metabolic problems.
How does the gut affect liver function?
Gut health and liver function are tightly linked, especially when it comes to hormone regulation. The liver plays a major role in breaking down and processing hormones, but it relies on the gut to help keep things in balance. If your gut health is off—like with an overgrowth of bad bacteria or leaky gut—it can send excess toxins and even metabolites of hormones into the liver, making it harder for the liver to break them down properly. This can disrupt the whole hormone cycle, leading to imbalances like high estrogen levels or issues with thyroid function.
The liver is the body’s detox center, and antioxidants play a huge role in keeping it running smoothly. Since the liver is constantly processing and breaking down toxins, it can get pretty stressed out by all the free radicals and oxidative damage that come with that. Antioxidants, like vitamin C or selenium, help neutralize these free radicals, protecting liver cells from damage and supporting overall liver function. If the gut is in disrepair, it may not absorb all the antioxidants the liver needs for protection.
How are detoxification and inflammation affected?
Detoxification and inflammation are closely linked because when the body detoxifies—whether it’s processing toxins from the environment, food or even metabolic waste—it can trigger an inflammatory response. Inflammation is a natural part of the body’s defense system, but it becomes problematic if it’s prolonged or excessive. When the liver, kidneys, and other detox organs break down toxins, some of those waste products can temporarily increase inflammation as the body works to flush them out.
If the detoxification process isn’t running smoothly—maybe because of an overloaded liver or gut imbalance—this can lead to chronic low-grade inflammation, which has been linked to a variety of health issues, like autoimmune conditions, digestive problems, or even mood disorders. On the flip side, inflammation itself can slow down detox pathways, creating a vicious cycle. So, when your body is constantly dealing with toxins and inflammation, it can make detoxing harder. If the detox process isn’t efficient, inflammation may linger, leading to more imbalance. A healthy gut ensures that the body doesn’t take on an excessive toxic load and is able to absorb the nutrients necessary for a modulated detoxification and inflammation response.
Why are genetically modified organism (GMO) foods bad for your health?
This definition for GMOs comes from the NIH’s National Human Genome Research Institute: GMO (short for “genetically modified organism”) is a plant, animal or microbe in which one or more changes have been made to the genome, typically using high-tech genetic engineering, in an attempt to alter the characteristics of an organism. Genes can be introduced, enhanced or deleted within a species, across species or even across kingdoms.
Mmmm. Sounds yummy, right?
There are six main reasons why it’s not a good idea to eat genetically engineered (GE) food products: antibiotic resistance, toxicity, allergenicity, immunosuppression, cancer and loss of nutrition. The genes of GE plants (or animals) raised to feed us have been spliced and diced to be pest resistant, disease resistant, drought resistant—you name it. Without going into the complex science of how it’s done, the main problem with genetically modified foods is that consumers aren’t told exactly what’s in them. Antibiotics and other foreign proteins are inserted into the cells of the plants or animals—changing their DNA—and are toxic to the body in different ways. They are not natural; therefore, our bodies—equipped with processes that have ensured the survival of our species and evolved over the millennia—don’t know what to do with them.
How to avoid GMOs
The political wars over food labeling (read: follow the money) and truthful consumer information have raged for decades. It’s not an efficient or transparent process. So, suffice to say, it’s best and safest to steer clear of genetically modified food products. Look especially closely at all your “favorite” processed/packaged foods. Many of them have “may contain GE ingredients” on the packaging. (This is one of the battles won on the side of the consumer.) Non-GMO and organic foods, by definition, must not contain GE ingredients.
In conclusion, a healthy gut is the lynchpin of overall well-being, both mentally and physically. Gut health affects so many body systems. It makes sense to address it first, rather than aiming a different strategy at each system. Start with the gut. Trust your gut.
Top image by Freepik.
References:
https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genetically-Modified-Organism-GMO
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/are-gmos-bad-environment
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/monsanto-gmos-and-cancer-risk
https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/issues/311/ge-foods/ge-food-and-your-health
