Unlocking the Mysteries of the Gut Microbiome: A Comprehensive Guide

As we dive into the Rootin’ for Wellness Blog, I felt it was important to actually talk about the importance of the gut microbiome. I love science and all of that, but for the purpose of this blog post, I want to keep it simple because let’s be real, sometimes all that science jargon can be tooooo much!

The gut microbiome, which refers to the trillions of microorganisms living in our digestive system, is a topic that is gaining increasing attention in the health and wellness community. However, there is still a lot of misinformation out there. It is important to understand that the health of our gut microbiome is closely linked to our overall health and well-being. As such, it is crucial to seek out accurate and reliable information about how to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

Here is the key fact to know: the health of the gut affects everything within your body and everything affects the gut. It is a two way street.

What is the Gut Microbiome?

To keep things simple, it is an ecosystem of microbes (living organisms) within our gastrointestinal tract. It is made up of about three TRILLION bacteria that consists of all different types aka species (400-500 species). We need a balance of the bacteria for our body to function properly as these "gut bugs" are to co-exist being they each have their own job to do.

The gut microbiome of a person starts forming within the mother’s womb and then is further affected by how the baby is born, what and how the baby is fed, environment and lifestyle. So therefore not everyone's gut microbiome composition is exactly the same! It is truly fascinating.

With that being said, in the future blog posts; we will go deeper into the details of bacteria, the good and the opportunistic. As we need both for the functions of our body to run smoothly, we need to keep the opportunistic bacteria in check/ in balance with the friendly bacteria.

A Healthy Gut is Key for Overall Well-being

Yes, our entire being is controlled by the health of the gut microbiome. It not only houses our immune system but is responsible for the functionality of our organs hormones, digestion and absorption of food, vitamins to our mood and weight. Everything.

Fun Fact: The gut microbiome is referred to as a supporting organ because it plays numerous vital roles in promoting the smooth daily functions of the human body.

So, if the gut isn’t functioning as it should, then nothing else in the body will be optimally functioning and that is when unpleasant symptoms appear and illness occurs.

Symptoms of any kind, is the body's way of communicating that something is imbalanced within the body, which yes, stems from the gut. It is crucial we listen and address appropriately. When we don’t listen to these “cues”, the body goes further into an imbalanced state which then results in more and more unpleasant and disrupting symptoms. 

When this happens then one would be facing certain illnesses such as autoimmune, diabetes and or other diseases. 

Unfortunately we are not taught this mainstream and why it is important to become in tune with your body and take the steps necessary to support the gut daily so it functions optimally and YOU live a happy and healthy life.

How Is the Gut Misunderstood? 

The gut is misunderstood in the sense that it is not taken much into account when someone has symptoms present. Almost as if that it is not as powerful as it actually is and that it could in fact cause all the symptoms. It is disregarded and often never truly addressed the way it should be or given the attention it deserves.

Unfortunately, mainstream, it is the symptoms being highlighted and addressed, not the actual root. We as society are not taught that the root is always the gut. Rather, symptoms are addressed basically inferring that the symptoms have nothing to do with the functionality of the body/the imbalance of the microbiome.

There is now more and more research supporting how the gut does in fact affect the entire body but that doesn’t seem to be the forefront of most mainstream as of late. If we go back hundreds of years, the body was addressed as a whole, in a holistic manner. The symptoms were not separated/individualized from the entire person as they are presently. 

Now why did the imbalance occur and symptoms set in? That is a different topic and will be covered in blog posts coming up. However, throwing pills to treat symptoms is not the answer and actually causes more and more imbalance within the body and does not actually treat the illness.

What are the Signs / Symptoms of an Imbalanced Gut:

As mentioned, it is ANY symptom. But here is a common list (in no particular order or complete):

> autoimmune disease

> digestive issues, indigestion, acid reflux

> bloating, gas

> IBS/IBD

> constipation / diarrhea

> chronic headaches / migraines

> mood, depression / anxiety

> skin issues / rashes

> food sensitivities

> diabetes

> seasonal allergies

> lethargy / fatigue

> painful irregular periods, PCOS, Endometriosis (hormonal imbalance) 

In Closing

It is important to understand that the health of the gut dictates the health of the person. When there are symptoms of any kind present, we must always address the gut in a cohesive manner.

How do we support the gut daily to keep the body functioning optimally? How to keep symptoms at bay or how do we restore balance back to lessen symptoms?

Stay tuned!

>>Did you know this about the gut? Drop your comments and or questions below.  >> Any blog post topics you would like to see?

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