Gut health is important, especially for those who suffer with gut related health issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. But, this doesn’t necessarily mean everyone is aware of how impactful gut health can really be, and even fewer know how to maintain a healthy gut. But, fear not, this quick read is going to guide you and offer tips so you can fully understand the importance of gut health, and how to maintain a healthy gut.
Over the last few months, my Tik-Tok FYP seems to be trying to tell me something with a continuous feed of gut-health related videos. Of course, discussions of gut-health are not new. Having been the centre point of conversation in the past few years, gut health has quickly become a more mainstream topic in the health and wellness community, and rightly so. Numerous studies have shown major body functions such as the immune system, digestion, and bloating as well as issues like skin conditions, cancer and mental health can all be linked to gut health.
The impact of gut health and signs of an unhappy gut
It’s clear that the human gut is complex and can have a massive impact on the rest of the body. This is especially prevalent if the gut is not healthy. As stated before, an unhealthy gut can have an impact on the immune system, digestion, and the skin. But how does one know if they have bad gut health? Are there obvious symptoms to be looking out for? Or could people be suffering with a bad gut without realising it? Luckily, there are a few key symptoms to look out for that can help figure out if one has bad gut health or not. To start with, having frequent stomach disturbances such as gas, constipation, or bloating, could be a sign of an upset gut. This is because a balanced, and healthy gut will have less difficulty processing and digesting food.
Another sign that something might be off with the gut is unintentional weight changes. Losing or gaining weight, even while sticking to the same diet and exercise patterns, can be a sign of an unhealthy gut. An imbalanced gut can affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, regulate blood sugar and store fat, leading to weight changes.
Other symptoms of an unhealthy gut include frequent sleep disturbances and insomnia, skin conditions such as eczema, and autoimmune conditions.
How to improve gut health
Now that we know how to spot an unhealthy gut, how do we maintain a healthy gut? Experts suggest eating a nutritious diet rich in diverse, whole foods is the first step to improving gut health. They also urge the reduction of sugary foods and to limit the amount of alcohol, as both of these things contribute to an imbalanced gut. Raising fibre intake can also help improve gut health - government guidelines actually recommend at least 30g of fibre a day. This is because fibre can help or prevent constipation, and increase healthy gut microbiota.
Inulin: a prebiotic powerhouse
Inulin is a great way of reaching the fibre intake recommendation. Inulin is a type of prebiotic and doesn't get digested or absorbed in the stomach. Instead, it stays in the bowel and helps certain beneficial bacteria to grow. This starchy substance can be found in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including wheat, onions, bananas, leeks, and asparagus. It can also be found in our Manifesto Beauty gummies. Anna, the founder of Manifesto, is a long term IBS sufferer, and so was extra mindful when it came to Inulin. She chose to include them in the gummies as a way of helping with fibre intake.
Not only are Manifesto Beauty gummies packed with Inulin,
they are the perfect balance of minerals and vitamins and natural extracts, and can be a great option when combining supplements with a healthy diet.
Other tips to improve gut health
Another easy step to take to improve gut health is to get enough sleep! Yes, something as basic as getting some extra zzz’s can help out the gut. Getting enough, regular sleep gives your body, and your gut, time to heal. Being well-rested can reduce stress, along with self-care activities like exercising and seeing friends. Maintaining a routine that includes exercise is always a great way to keep the gut healthy too.
If you want to find out more about gut health, “gut” by Giulia Enders, and “The Diet Myth” by Dr Tim Spector offer further insight into the world of gut health. Manifesto Beauty gummies are a great addition to your lifestyle to not only improve your gut health, but also support healthy and strong hair and nails, with immunity-boosting vitamins and minerals.