January is a time for reflection. Perhaps you like to set new goals or decide upon a resolution or two. But, how about an opportunity to increase the health of your digestive system, more specifically, your Gut?
Gut health can have an impact on the body as a whole; a healthy gut in a positive way, an unhealthy gut in a negative way.
When our gut is in an unhealthy state it is in a state of inflammation. Inflammation of the gut can be caused by many different things:
- certain foods (dairy, gluten, processed foods)
- chronic stress
- sedentary lifestyle
- smoking
- etc
But, did you know that foods that we would all consider “healthy” can cause inflammation to our gut too? It’s true. And these foods are very unique to each individual. Those of us who have had, for example, chronic stress in our lives, or, years and years of not eating well, can develop “food sensitivities”.
Food Sensitivities are detected through your blood and the results can be either neutral, moderately inflammatory or severely inflammatory. Results of this nature can help us understand what foods are best for our body, which to cycle and which to avoid.
Many chronic diseases have been linked to the state of our microbiome (the balance of good and bad bacteria in our gut). We are beginning to understand gut health in a way that previously we were unable, and it is very exciting to be able to take control of this part of our health.
Because the majority of our immune system is located in our gut, it makes perfect sense to ensure that our gut is in the most optimal state as possible!
January is a great time to determine the state of your gut! And what a great New Years Resolution – to gain knowledge of the state of your gut health so you can nourish it better and strengthen your immune system at the same time! Happy New Year!
