The importance of gut health and why does it matter

From digesting the food we eat to supporting our immune system, the gut plays a role in our general wellbeing.

Gut health and general wellbeing

Our gut, or digestive system, is fundamental to all aspects of our health. It’s not only what we eat, but how we break down that food and absorb the nutrients that determines the state of health we have. “Good gut health is not just linked to good physical health, but mental health as well,” says naturopath Christine Blanchard.

How to support healthy digestion

“It’s important to digest food well to utilise all the vitamins and minerals from our food.” says Christine

Good digestion needs a few factors to function well:

Relax

We can’t digest well if we are stressed or eating on the run (or eating whilst checking emails!)

Chew properly

Our mouth has digestive enzymes that help break food down. If we gulp our food, it places an extra workload on the stomach to break the food down

Good bacteria

We need good bacteria in our intestines- there are billions of many types of bacteria in our guts which help break down food further, particularly fibre.

Fibre

Fibre also helps keep our bowel motions regular. Once we have absorbed all the nutrients from our food we need to effectively eliminate the wastes accumulated.

Water

Drinking plenty of water will also help promote regular bowel movements.

Liver health

We need a healthy liver to break down the beneficial fats in our diet and detoxify to keep us running clean. If we overload this with too many saturated fats, too much caffeine, sugar and alcohol, then it can’t do its job of detoxification well.

Stress and sleep

Poor health or long-term stress, some medications, even lack of adequate sleep may impact the balance of bacteria in our gut

Foods for a healthy gut

Christine recommends keeping it simple when it comes to a good gut health diet.

Protein

“I eat and recommend a nutrient dense wholefood diet. I try to keep it simple, each meal I aim to include a palm size serve of protein - from fish, chicken, lamb, eggs and several meals a week, plant-based protein such as legumes and lentils.

Fruit and Vegetables

Next step to a healthy plate is two handfuls of fruit and vegetables with every meal (even breakfast). Choose seasonal and local where possible as they usually retain most of their nutritional value. Once a day, usually after I exercise, I include some starchy vegies such as sweet potato and carrots.”

Healthy fats

“I like to complete a meal with a good serve of healthy fats – so avocado, some olive oil dressing, or fresh feta cheese. Add some spices or herbs for antioxidant action and flavour and that’s it. “

Probiotics

Including probiotic foods as part of your regular diet is also beneficial. Eat such as yoghurt and fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi and kombucha.

Avoid

Gut health is also dependant on what you don’t eat. “When someone is unwell, the first thing I advise is to cut back or cut out all processed sugars. Sugar can really dampen our immunity, so to give our immune system a chance of helping us, we need to reduce sugar” says Christine.

Lifestyle habits to support good gut health

Christine encourages people to eat and live by the 80/20 rule. “A too restrictive or limited diet can be hard to follow - so 80% of the time, eat well - sleep well - move well - then you can allow 20%of the time for fun food. This is sustainable.”

For Christine the importance of movement and nature shouldn’t be overlooked. “Our lives are becoming more and more disconnected from nature, so I see a naturopath’s role is to remind people of how important nature and nature connection is to our wellbeing.”

“We live in such sterile enclosed spaces, with more and more chemicals, that it’s so important for us to get outside with bare feet in the grass. Not only our digestion, but our soul needs this to balance the busyness of modern urban life. “