Gut Health : Signs and Symptoms

 Thegut, also referred to as the alimentary canal or digestive tract, can be defined as an organ system in animals, inclusive of human beings, responsible for taking in food through the mouth, breaking it down both physically through chewing and chemically through various digestive enzymes. The digestive tract also absorbs important nutrients into the blood stream, which in turn provides our bodies with the necessary energy to keep on performing everyday tasks. The gut also egests the remaining unwanted and insoluble food materials in form of feces. The main parts of the gut include the mouth, esophagus, the stomach, and both the large and small intestines, among others.

The gut can also be subdivided into three major parts as shown below.

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       The Foregut – Consists of the esophagus down the stomach to the first two duodenum sections(esophagus, stomach, 1^st and 2^nd parts of the duodenum, The Liver, Gallbladder, and finally, The Pancreas),

·         The Midgut – Which in turn consists of lower duodenum, and most parts of transverse colon(ileum, cecum, jejunum, appendix, the ascending colon and finally most first parts of the transverse colon), and finally

·         The Hindgut – Which mainly consists of the last parts of the transverse colon down to the anal canal’s upper part(last part of the transverse colon, rectum and finally the anal canal’s upper part )

A healthy gut is characterized by:

·         Effective digestion of food and absorption of nutrients

·         Absence of gastrointestinal (GI) tract illnesses and

·         Effective immune system

Characteristics of a Healthy Gut

1.      Friendly gut bacteria

Did you know that your gut contains around 300 to 500 different kinds of bacteria which in turn contains nearly two million genes? These bacteria have a very big impact on your well-being as a human being.

Friendly gut bacteria also referred to as healthy gut bugs are bacteria living in GI tract. Friendly gut bacteria act as the controls of our intestinal tract. They help our bodies digest and absorb nutrients, synthesis of some vitamins and improve our immune system keeping away infections such as influenza and toxic carcinogens. Apart from boosting our immune system, micro biota sends signals to our brains and also help regulate our metabolism. These bacteria are very important to our bodies since they form colonies that fight obesity, heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases and some forms of cancer.

Therefore,it is true if one tells you that the more diversity of these friendly gut bacteria you have in your stream, the better off you are.

It is also important to note that our gut contains more than 60 to 80 percent of our body’s immune system.

I know you are simply asking how you can get to boost your Intestinal tract with these friendly gut bacteria. Below is a list of some known foods you can eat to boost the micro biota in your body. In the list, you will learn the benefits of the foods to your micro biota.

Friendly gut bacteria foods you need to add to your everyday diet

Banana – If you have had anupset stomach and paid a visit to your doctor, he or she might have recommended bananas. Bananas acts like a pacemaker by maintaining harmony amongst microbes in bacterial community referred to as phyla. They also contain high levels of potassium and magnesium hence can help reduce inflammation. 

Benefits- may help reduce inflammation and restoring health of the phyla.

Beans –They contain protein, fiber, folate, B vitamins which play an important role in the regulating Gut Health and a healthy brain. Therefore beans feeds friendly gut bacteria, which then levels up your immune system.

Benefits-they release a short-chain fatty acid that in turn strengthen our intestine cells, help in weight loss, and also improves in the absorption of nutrients into our blood stream.

Blueberries – These may improve our immune system, strengthen our memory capacity, and also produce a wide diversity of gut bacteria.

Benefits – majorly can modify the microbes to enhance your body’s immune function.

Jerusalem artichokes – These plants are rich in inulin an insoluble fiber. When ingested in the body, it travels from small intestines all the way to the colon.  Here, it ferments into a healthy micro flora. It is important to note that Jerusalem artichokes may cause a health problem (distress) to some people with sensitive digestive tracts.

Cruciferous vegetables(cabbage, kales and cauliflower) and Broccoli–These vegetables contains glucosinolates(sulfur containing metabolites)which are broken down by the friendly gut bacteria releasing substances that help reduce inflammation, reduces several risks of cancer such as breast, liver, lung, colon and stomach cancer.

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What affects our gut health?

A healthy living organism has a proper functioning digestive system with proper digestion and excretion of final waste materials. You may then like to know what would certainly affect our gut health. Today, we shall take a look on some of the health measures and precautions to keep yourself with a proper functioning digestive system meaning a very good immune system in the long run. Let’s first look at the signs and symptoms that would call fort your attention to visit a doctor or that may suggest that you have an unhealthy gut.

Signs and symptoms of an unhealthy gut

•  Food allergies
•  Digestive issues such as bloating, diarrhea and gas
•  Anxiety
•  Skin problems such as rosacea
•   Diabetes
•  Autoimmune disease
•  Poor concentration and memory
•  Irritability and mood swings

Some of the things that can affect your gut health by simply harming your gut bacteria include:

•       Lack of prebiotics in your diet- Prebiotics are forms of indigestible fiber that help promote    the    health of gut bacteria. Foods that contain prebiotics include oats, bananas, garlic, lentils  and nuts
•          Too much Alcohol- Too much of alcohol is usually toxic to gut bacteria.
•           Antibiotics- Antibiotics are very important in treating bacterial infections but their long term usage can affect gut health by killing the gut bacteria.
•           Lack of regular exercise- Being physically active has a number of gut health benefits. They include  weight loss, lower stress and reduction of gut chronic diseases. Scientific evidence also suggests that  physical activity can alter gut bacteria promoting gut health.
•           Cigarette smoking- Cigarettes contain several harmful chemicals that can increase your risk of getting gut diseases such as Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
•           Lack of enough sleep
•          Too much stress