The gut is one of the main reasons why some people can eat anything they want without gaining weight, while others have to count calories and watch every bite. And even if it seems like you're doing everything right, you still feel like things are going wrong.

According to what we know so far about the gut microbiome, if you have a healthy gut and all of its systems are working properly, then your body will burn more energy than it takes in. The end result?

You lose weight!

If on the other hand your gut is out of whack (and doesn't work properly), then it won't be able to absorb nutrients from food as well as it should be able to - which means less energy for you! This can lead to obesity over time.

A healthy gut is key for a healthy body

The good news is that gut health is incredibly easy to improve. Eating the right foods (whole foods, plant predominant) in the right amounts can help you keep your gut healthy, but there are also things you can do to support your digestive system’s natural functions.

This may mean taking probiotics or eating more fermented foods like sauerkraut or kimchi (fermented cabbage). You might consider taking a digestive enzyme supplement or drinking apple cider vinegar in water before meals. There are also herbs like ginger root, peppermint essential oil, and turmeric that have been proven to help people with digestive problems. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are fibers that feed probiotics by attracting them to the colon wall so they have something to eat. You can find prebiotics in bananas, onions, garlic, leeks, wheat bran and artichokes.

Your microbiome also influences your brain

Your gut microbiome is both a cause and an effect of your mental health. It’s important to keep in mind that the stress response system is not just in the brain—it extends throughout the body. This means that when you experience stress, the brain triggers a cascade of communication between organs such as your gut, heart and lungs to produce physiological responses intended to help you survive stressful situations. The best example is cortisol, which increases sugar availability for energy and slows down digestion so you can focus on whatever danger you’re facing at the moment (in most cases). If this system isn't working properly due to poor diet or other lifestyle factors, it could lead to symptoms associated with depression: poor sleep patterns; low moods; loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy; feelings of hopelessness; weight gain from increased cravings for sugar and carbs; fatigue after eating certain foods instead of feeling energized by them...and more!

As with any other organ system in your body, imbalances are often caused by inflammation caused by diet choices like refined sugars/carbs or processed foods which may reduce serotonin levels (the happy hormone) while increasing cortisol levels (the stress hormone). Eating whole foods rich in fiber, on the other hand, helps reduce these and other inflammatory markers. 

Take care of your gut, take care of your body!



If you're looking to lose weight and stay healthy, you've got to take care of your gut! Research is showing that people with healthy guts are less likely to experience cravings, stress eating, and hunger cues than those with unhealthy guts.

Now that you know the importance of a healthy gut, it’s time to get started! Start by eating more whole foods and fewer processed ones.  If you're ready to take it to the next level and get a more individualized approach for your gut health, contact us today to get scheduled and get your health back on track!