Gut Health

Last article, we moved away from our initial focus on diet and nutrition alone and considered other factors that can have a significant impact on weight and our overall health. Today, let’s consider gut health and food sensitivities. These can be a huge stressor on our body if we are not aware of what we are putting in our bodies.

Our gut houses 60-80% of our immune system. That means that the foods and beverages you consume can have an enormous impact on your overall health. They can either encourage a building up and stability of your immune system or encourage break down. Every food and beverage you consume is either going to have a positive or negative impact. Consider that fact with each bite you take.

Pesticides, antibiotics, artificial colorings/ flavorings, etc are all toxins and can damage our mucosal lining. Our bodies also regard foods we are sensitive to and processed food as toxins.

Our gut contains both yeasts and probiotics:

○ Yeast: fungi capable of fermenting carbohydrates. Sugars and refined starches are food for harmful yeasts and encourage dysbiosis, a microbial imbalance. In response, our bodies can and will produce antibodies.

○ Probiotics: harmless bacteria that help protect the body from harmful bacteria. Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium are both good probiotics.

Our bodies can and will produce antibodies in response to consumption of specific food proteins that can present as full-blown allergies or sensitivities. Food sensitivities can lead to digestive dysfunction, suppressed immunity, inflammation, disruption to mood, thyroid function, muscle/nerve function, and ultimately issues with weight loss. Unlike actual food “allergies” which have an immediate reaction, food sensitivities have subtle long-term effects with response occurring up to 72 hours after consumption.

Never neglect your gut health; if you only look at foods for their calorie level or even just their macronutrient balance, you’re missing the message. What’s equally, if not more, important is how whole are the foods and beverages you are putting onto your plate and into your body? Remember, WHOLE FOODS are what we were designed to eat and what you should be putting onto your Fit Plate.

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