For a long time, health was skin deep. These days, however, more and more, we are realising the impact of gut health and how it can affect everything, from our skin to our hormones.
Just like every other functioning system in the body, your gut plays an important role, and the more you know about how this works, the better you can keep it healthy.
Let’s take a look at some things that you may not know about your gut health.
Gut Microbes and Skin Cell Regeneration
Your skin and the health of your gut are more connected than you may think. In fact, your gut's ecosystem has an important role to play in the regeneration of skin cells, which, of course, is going to contribute to healthy, supple, naturally beautiful skin.
When you’ve got a healthy gut, your body can more easily produce short-chain fatty acids, including butyrate, acetate and propionate. These fatty acids are the result of good bacteria found in the gut, and they have been shown to be naturally anti-inflammatory.
In layman's terms, they help our DNA replicate as it should, allowing for the regeneration of skin cells. The better the production line, the better your skin will look.
Gut Health Strengthens Your Immunity
Believe it or not, a big part of your immune system is actually located in your gut. This means that your immune system is dependent on a healthy gut to function properly.
In the gut, you'll find microbiomes. The microbiome is used to help control the immune system and how active or inactive it is. If your microbiomes in the gut aren't doing too well, then your immune system could overreact, causing you to get sick easily.
There is growing evidence linking gut health to various chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), cardiovascular diseases, and even certain cancers. Understanding these connections may open new avenues for preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Think of Your Gut as Another Brain
In recent years, with even more studies being done into the significance of our gut health, microbiomes have been called our 'second brain.' This is because the balance of microbiomes and good bacteria in the gut are responsible for regulating a lot of bodily functions. Communication between the gut and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis, has been a focus of recent studies.
Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota can influence mental health, stress responses, and neurological conditions. Basically, the health of your gut is directly linked to the hormones your body produces, and how these affect you neurologically. While your brain may produce the neurons to feel emotion, your gut produces the bacteria that determine your hormone balance.
Gut Health (may) = A Healthy Weight
We are all familiar with the adage 'you are what you eat.' However, it's actually a lot more complex than this. While we do have to watch what we eat and make sure that we're fueling our body with the right nutrition, it's also important not to underestimate the importance of gut health and how it determines our weight.
Genetically, everyone is different in terms of the microbiome present in their gut. This is because the bacteria found in your gut can help break down fat, as well as separate calories from food. Because everyone’s bacteria balance is different, their weight is also going to differ, too. Some people's gut bacteria may be helping them stay at a healthy weight.
So, where do you start? Why not read our blog on gut health and diet and start your journey to gut health and that glow.
