Do all disease begin in your Gut?
More than 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates — the father of modern medicine — suggested that all disease begins in the gut. While some of his wisdom has stood the test of time, you may wonder whether he was right in this regard.
Evidence shows that many chronic metabolic diseases do. Your gut bacteria and the integrity of your gut lining strongly affect your health.
Intestinal permeability (AKA ‘Leaky Gut’):
According to numerous studies, undesirable bacterial breakdown products produced in your own body, called endotoxins can sometimes leak through your gut lining and enter your bloodstream. Your immune system then recognizes these foreign molecules and attacks them — resulting in chronic inflammation. At the very least, inflammation has been strongly linked to many of the world’s most serious conditions.
Your gut health has a major influence on one’s level of inflammation, nutrient absorption, metabolism, mood, immune system, and brain health. Unlike Vegas, what happens in the gut, does not stay in the gut.
Gut Microbiome:
Your gut houses trillions of bacteria — collectively known as your gut flora. While some of these bacteria are beneficial, others are not. As a result, the number and composition of your gut bacteria can greatly affect both your physical and mental health. The balance of gut bacteria is largely influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, lack of exercise, prescription medications, particularly antibiotics and acid blockers
It’s likely that the general healthfulness of your diet and lifestyle affects your risk of chronic inflammation and conditions linked to it.
Thus, to keep yourself and your gut healthy, it’s best to focus on an overall healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise, good sleep, and a diet based on real foods, plenty of prebiotic fiber, fermented foods, and few processed junk foods, alcohol and other synthetic chemicals like medications.
Most of all, don’t forget to schedule time for ‘YOU’ to unwind and relax, as reducing stress improves gut health.
The gut really is a key area that needs addressing in most people in this day and age. Is your gut healing you or harming you?
Connect with us today and find out how improving your gut health can improve your systemic and mental health
Tommy Markov is a Functional Nutrition Professional and Wellness Educator with a Master’s in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. He specializes in healing the person, not the condition. He is passionate about uncovering the root cause of his client’s ailments and incorporating an integrative mind-body approach.
Tommy’s knowledge of the interconnectedness of body systems helps him identify imbalances before they manifest into dysfunction and disease, allowing for an effective preventative approach.
Tommy has been working in the health and fitness industry since his 20’s, ranging from health clubs, hospitals, medical practices to currently founding his own thriving practice, Living Wellness Solutions, after overcoming his own health challenges.
Tommy has appeared as a guest and expert speaker on numerous podcasts, speaking events, as well as being a nutrition and supplement consultant. Most recently, Tommy became a proud partner of F.L.O.W. Wellness Center in Abington, Pennsylvania, where he incorporates Functional Medicine and Nutrition along with various other healing modalities and practitioners.
