Gut Health + Healing

The gut is like a garden and is considered to be the powerhouse of the entire human body. And it holds the key to all healing and to optimised health and wellbeing.

 

In fact, there is so much to the digestive system that you may not yet know... for instance: 

 

• It's over 7 meters long - from mouth to anus

• 95% of serotonin - a major mood-influencing hormone - is produced in the gut

• 70% of our immune system is located in the gut 

• It takes 24 to 72 hours for the food to move through our digestive system 

• On average, every 6 months we produce our body weight in excrement.

• The characteristic brown colour of our poo comes from bilirubin, a byproduct of the essential process of the breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is a major component of bile, an important digestive fluid that's cleaned from the blood by the liver.

• Bile acids - produced in the liver - are crucial for digestive health and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestine

• An average 62% of people worldwide suffer from digestive complaints - constipation, stomach ache, indigestion, heartburn, diarrhoea; and

• Our digestive system is commonly referred to as our ‘second brain’ and has a huge effect on the functioning of our body and mind.

 

There's more, but I would need a lot more pages to cover it all.

 

But in simplest terms, this system does everything from transporting food from the mouth to the stomach, converting it into absorbable nutrients and stored energy, and moving toxins and waste back out of the body.

 

Without proper nutrition and optimal digestive health, your body may function, but not to its optimal potential.

 

In recent years, gut health and our understanding of the gastrointestinal system and its complex and crucial job, has become far more appreciated. Gut health has been linked to numerous aspects of health and wellbeing that have seemingly nothing to do with digestion.

 

Literally everything from compromised immune and cognitive function, physical and mental health, chronic illness and auto-immune disease, behavioural issues and more - can be linked back to the health of the gut.

 

But how is this so?

 

The gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of bacteria that not only help us process food but also help the body maintain homeostasis and overall well-being. The crucial key, however, lies in the gut microbiome - bacteria and other microorganisms - found in the gastrointestinal tract.

 

While conventional medicine and research are still in the process of studying and understanding the diverse microbiome that lives in the gut, specialists have discovered that certain environments, foods, medications and lifestyle habits influence the health of our gut.

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So why is a happy gut essential for optimal health? 

 

While everyone's microbiome is as unique to them as their fingerprint and footprint, there are a number of key points to make about what’s healthy and what’s not.

 

In healthy people, there is a diverse array of organisms. Most of these organisms are bacteria, but there are also viruses, fungi and other microbes as well.

 

In an unhealthy individual, there’s a lot less diversity and a considerable increase of bacteria associated with certain diseases. And while some bacteria fight inflammation and disease, others promote it. 

 

When gut health is optimal, these diverse organisms keep each other in check and harmoniously do their job.

 

But so many factors can throw out this delicate balance. In fact, just one dose of antibiotics can degrade up to half of our unique gut microbiome and throw the delicate balance of organisms into chaos. 

 

And when a significant amount of essential gut flora is destroyed, opportunistic microbes can take over, and become the root cause...

 

• inflammation

• intestinal dysbiosis

• gut permeability

• malabsorption and malnutrition

• vitamin and nutrient deficiencies

• chronic illness and autoimmune disease and more.

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Numerous studies have linked gastrointestinal issues to the following conditions and more ...

 

• Allergies and food intolerances. 

• Weight issues and hormonal imbalances

• IBS, gastric reflux or heartburn

• Chronic pain and inflammation

• Thyroid and endocrine issues

• Metabolic syndrome or diabetes 

• Depression and/or anxiety

• Eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or dermatitis 

• Autoimmune disease

• Liver disease or hepatic function disorders

• High or low blood pressure

• High or low cholesterol

 

If you have been told that your blood markers are normal, that your symptoms are common, that your condition is not serious or curable, and/or worse, that it's all in your head. Then perhaps it's time to try a different approach. 

 

It's highly like that what you're experiencing is all in your gut, not your head. 

I'm here to tell you that the research is conclusive and robust: gut health plays a significant role in immune function, hepatic function, hormonal imbalances, thyroid and endocrine issues, mental health, microbial imbalances and inflammatory conditions and so much more.

 

If you're ready to heal your digestive issues, increase your nutritional intake and optimise your health and wellbeing, then you're in the right place.   

 

Let's get you started! 

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​J ules