Trust your gut: How gut health impacts our overall wellbeing
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — About 40% of Americans suffer from digestive health issues and research shows gut health is not just about digestion — it plays a vital role in overall wellness.
Margaret Brown, senior director of care management at Priority Health, said symptoms like diarrhea, constipation and bloating are signs your gut is unhealthy.
'We know that the gut is such a critical component to our overall health, meaning that it helps to contribute how we balance our emotions. It also contributes to how well we're able to fight off and combat different diseases,' Brown explained.
Sleep, diet, activity: How to take care of your brain
The gut-brain connection is a bi-directional system that requires good communication between the two. If you're seeing signs of an unhealthy gut, you may also be experiencing mental issues like memory, decision making, depression or anxiety. To improve gut health, focus on your diet, Brown says.
'Foods that are perhaps high in being processed or high in sugar can really harm our gut and it can set off what we call our microbiome. So instead, we want to really look for foods such that are high in fiber, so your fruits, your vegetables, your beans, your legumes, looking for fermented foods as well that you can find in yogurt,' Brown suggested.
You should also look toward how well you're managing your stress levels. Chronic stress can lead to increased inflammation in the gut, according to Brown. Plenty of water and physical activity as well as adequate amounts of sleep can also help improve gut health.
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