December 2019
Jacqui Lewis - BHSc Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine

Let's Have a Good Look at Gut Health

Food good for digestion

The gut is composed of a whole host of friendly bacteria that affect your body’s functions and keep it and your brain functioning as they should.

There’s a lot of research that has proven these gut bacteria affect the way you store fat, how you balance levels of glucose in your blood, and how you respond to hormones that make you feel hungry or satisfied.

The wrong internal mix can set the stage for obesity and other health issues later in life.

There's growing evidence that gut bacteria really might influence our minds.

Scientists have also found that gut bacteria produce feel good chemicals, regulate your mood including serotonin and dopamine. Researchers have also discovered that a nervous system in your gut (known as the “second brain”) communicates with the brain in your head. It also plays a role in certain diseases and in mental health.

In other words, the wellness of both your body and your brain depend on your gut health.

Foods to boost the GOOD GUYS

FIBRE – insoluble fibre found in

  • Fruit and Veggies 
  • Garlic and Onion
  • Yoghurt
  • Bananas
  • Oats
  • Asparagus

These examples of foods are good sources of fibre that will boost the level of good bacteria in your gut.

This improves overall health by:

  • Helping reduce acid reflux
  • Improving nutrient absorption
  • Increasing Immunity
  • Fighting off bad guys like H Pylori and other bugs that have been linked to ulcers and obesity

What are the signs you don’t have enough “good Bacteria?”

FERMENTATION
 – burping, flatulence, inconsistent poo
– too runny or too hard
– Constipation

SLOW DIGESTION
(Irregular elimination of waste - Bloating)

REGULAR COLDS & FLU
urinary tract infections, poor wound healing inside and outside the body.

THRUSH, CANDIDA
athlete’s foot (anywhere on the body)

POOR NUTRIENT ABSORPTION

REFLUX

What can you do?

STOP FEEDING THE BAD GUYS!

Refined sugars, alcohol, white bread and pasta etc. are what the bad guys thrive on. Think of your good guys like crowd control.

The more you have – the less room there is for the bad guys to thrive!

Drink fresh water, try a probiotic for a month or two combined with some good prebiotic (help feed the good guys foods) like:

- GARLIC
- OATS
- VEGGIES

Jacqui Lewis
BHSc Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine

Related Posts

  • 15 Ways to Stop Weight Regain After Weight Loss Surgery
  • 7 Keys to Healthy Immunity
  • 7 Reasons to Avoid Alcohol on Your WLS Journey
  • Are ''Diet'' Drinks Better Than the Regular Ones?

Related Products