My gut feeling
So could your Gut feeling be right? Could the bacteria in your digestive tract affect your body weight?
A growing body of research says yes . Hence Food is not simply mere calories; It’s vital information Communicated to your DNA, and instructs it on what to do.
There are over 10 trillion microbes that inhabit the human body, collectively called the micro biome. Most of them live in the gut and intestines, where they help us to digest food, synthesize vitamins, and fight off infection. Various studies have suggested that these microbes may play a role in regulating body weight. These microbes are incredibly diverse, with up to 1,150 different species that can potentially live in your gut.They have all sorts of important jobs, such as regulating immune and digestive health and even influencing your mood. However, some are more beneficial to your wellbeing than others.
Study shows that people struggling with obesity have been found to have gut bacteria that are less diverse and genetically rich than those of lean people. Somewhat a problem because scientists are also finding that certain microbes may help you stay slim by stimulating the production of hormones that keep you feeling full, such as leptin. Others may promote weight gain by increasingthe fermentation of carbohydrates, encouraging the body to absorb more of their calories. Still other microbes may prompt the body to store greater amounts of fat.
In all honesty, it doesn’t take long to alter the composition of your gut bacteria. In one Harvard study, researchers found that changes in diet could affect a person’s gut microbes in as little as one day. Unfortunately, several features of the modern lifestyle directly contribute to unhealthy gut:
- Antibiotics and other medications like birth control and some pain killers (NSAIDs)
- Diets high in refined carbohydrates, sugar and processed foods
- Diets low in fermentable fibers
- Dietary toxins like wheat and industrial seed oils that cause leaky gut
- Chronic stress
- Chronic infections
The foods you eat and your environment determine your unique gut bacterial profile. A diet containing lots of fiber-filled plant foods appears to protect against obesity causing bacteria, while the typical mordern lifestyle diet—loaded with sugar, fat, and animal products—has been linked to microbes that promote weight gain.
The most effective means of rebalancing the microbiome will likely require addressing the issue through food intake, supplementation, and stress reduction combined, rather than by one approach alone includes:
- increasing consumption of probiotic rich foods such as fermented foods, such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and high quality yogurt
- taking a high-quality probiotic supplement,
- practicing good stress management such as meditation, regular exercise, prayer, engaging in a hobby you enjoy, and other similar activities can help reduce stress and balance mood as well
- consuming a fiber-rich,
- low sugar diet comprised largely of unprocessed foods.
Your gut feeling! Gut health impacts your weight and general well being. So, it’s worth making steps to take good care of your microbiome as an investment in overall health.