What part of the body plays a major role in everything from colorectal cancer, to hypertension, to type two diabetes, inflammation, immune function, and even depression? It may surprise you to know that the gut and gut health is highly significant in all of these things.
While many Americans are familiar with things like digestive discomfort, constipation, and diarrhea, we may not be as familiar with the idea that gut health is responsible for many other ailments all over the body, and even affects our mental health. Having a healthy gut often coincides with an overall healthy body and mind.
The central role of the gut microbiome
The microbiome located in our gut is basically its own ecosystem made up of fungi, viruses, and trillions of bacteria. While we are born with this microbiome, our lifestyle and daily habits greatly affect its health and maintenance.
For instance, having a sedentary lifestyle, consuming too much sugar, and being exposed to too many antibiotics all wreak havoc on the health of the microbiome. On the other hand, getting plenty of exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sunlight and vitamin D, as well as taking a quality probiotic supplement, are all part of taking care of the microbiome and keeping it healthy.
Since the microbiome, which also contains 70-80% of our immune cells, is populated by countless bacteria, it is absolutely vital that we help to sustain the good bacteria with a probiotic supplement every single day.
Health benefits of taking probiotics
Probiotics are live, good bacteria that can be found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, but can also be taken in pill form…which is a definite plus for anyone with an aversion to fermented foods. Probiotics are significantly useful in helping good bacteria to grow, inhibiting growth of bad bacteria, balancing out immune responses, producing anti-inflammatory compounds, and directly affecting bodily organs.
Anyone who is at all concerned with taking care of their bodies should make sure that a quality probiotic supplement makes it into their daily routine.
