Gut Biome and Gut Health
The gut microbiome, a complex community of trillions of microbes, plays a key role in our overall health. This ecosystem of microorganisms within the gastrointestinal tract not only helps to digest food but also wields influence on our immune system and risk for developing chronic diseases.
One of the most interesting functions of gut microbiota is the gut-brain axis, which refers to the remarkable connection between gut bacteria and the nervous system. Not only can our brain send messages to our gastrointestinal tract, but gut microbes can actually send signals back to the brain. One of the most important neurotransmitters in the gut-brain axis is serotonin, which contributes to feelings of happiness and wellbeing and is produced in both the brain and the gut.
The gut microbiome is a complex community of trillions of microbes that plays a key role in our overall health. This ecosystem of **microorganisms not only helps to digest food but also impacts our immune system and chance of developing chronic diseases.
One of the most interesting functions of gut microbiota is what’s called the gut-brain axis, which refers to the two-way connection between gut bacteria and the nervous system. Not only can your brain send messages to your gastrointestinal tract, but the gut microbes can actually send signals back to the brain. One of the key neurotransmitters in the gut-brain axis is serotonin, which research has revealed is produced in both the brain and gut and contributes to feelings of happiness and wellbeing.
Various factors impact microbiome diversity and gut health, including diet, lifestyle, medications, and stress levels. The gut microbiome is sensitive to changes, and research has shown that a microbial imbalance, or dysbiosis, correlates with a range of health problems from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
The curated content below dives deep into the science behind a healthy gut, the potential health benefits of probiotics, prebiotics, and fermented foods, and other strategies to achieve a healthy microbiome.
