In a Rut? Check Your Gut!



The gut is your gastrointestinal tract (GI), which is the part of the body that digests food and absorbs nutrients. The gut includes the stomach, intestines, and colon. The gut harbors a complex community of over 100 trillion microbial cells which influence human physiology, metabolism, nutrition and immune function. The main functions of the GI system include ingestion and digestion of food, nutrient absorption, secretion of water and enzymes, and excretion of waste products. The gut also acts as a barrier, preventing undigested foods, protein, fats, and toxins from being absorbed. The trillion microbial cells in your gut are what make up the microbiome. Your microbiome provides the key service of breaking down indigestible food, toxins, and medication; as well as making vitamins and supplying the gut with energy.

The gut plays an important role in overall health. Dr. David Perlmutter says that up to 90 percent of all known human illness can be traced back to an unhealthy gut. What should we do to keep the gut healthy? Dr. Don Colbert in his book: Healthy Gut Zone gives us five gut power tools for gut health.

  1. Fiber:  It provides nourishment for your gut bacteria. Fiber also has an anti-inflammatory effect on the bowel.

  2. Probiotic: These are living organisms that improve the health of your gut, especially the good bacteria in your gut biome. They also help restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut when it's been disrupted by illness, medication, stress, poor sleep, or an unbalanced diet.

  3. Prebiotics: These are non-digestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial health-promoting bacteria and also act as nutrition for the gut bacteria, helping them to flourish.

  4. Polyphenols: These are plant chemicals found in plants that are loaded with antioxidants that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria while reducing the number of harmful bacteria. They also modulate gut metabolism and immunity and help reduce inflammation. Yellow fruits and vegetables like lemons, bananas, yellow onions, and yellow bell peppers, as well as berries are rich in polyphenols.

  5. Carbohydrates: Consuming fiber-rich carbohydrates such as those found in whole grains, fruits and vegetables can help promote gut health by nourishing beneficial gut bacteria, regulating bowel movements and reducing inflammation.


It is possible to have a healthy gut by feeding, protecting and balancing it with the proper foods. Your overall health is dependent on a healthy gut. 

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