An image of a doctor touching a model of the human colon to study it.

Gut Health: The Key to a Healthy Brain and Body

by Dr. Matt Olesiak, M.D.

The human digestive system contains trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms collectively called the "gut microbiome."

How the Gut Microbiota Affects Mental and Physical Health

Beneficial gut bacteria typically outnumber the harmful kind, keeping the microbiome balanced.

But if the composition of the "good" and "bad" bacteria becomes unbalanced, it can lead to not only digestive problems but can also negatively affect your mental and physical health.

Mental Health Disorders

Mental health issues linked to poor gut health include: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Depression
Anxiety
bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder

Physical Health Conditions

Physical health conditions associated with an unhealthy gut include: (6)

Digestive issues like excessive gas, bloating, and stomach pain
Digestive tract disorders like inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Metabolic diseases like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
Elevated setpoint weight leading to weight gain and obesity
Reduced immune function
Food allergy
Chronic heart disease
Liver disease
HIV
Cancer

How Gut Health Affects MORE Than Digestion

The explanation of how gut microbiota affects overall health is nothing short of astounding!

Approximately 100 million nerve cells line the gastrointestinal tract.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is often called the "second brain" because it sends messages to the brain and several other major organs via the vagus nerve.

Thus, it can influence mental, physical, and psychological functions!

These messages are bidirectional, meaning the brain and body also communicate with the ENS. Thus, beneficial bacteria in your gut microbiota can influence all aspects of your health.

By the way...scientists estimate that a whopping 70% of the immune system resides in the gut.

How to Improve Gut Health

To think, feel, and look your best, you must restore gut health. We have discovered a few ways to do that.

Reduce Stress Levels

A cartoon rendering of a stress meter, and I man pushing the needle gauge back to reduce stress.

Stress has been shown to affect the composition and function of the gut microbiome. Research suggests it can make the gut lining more permeable, allowing harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream triggering an immune response. (7)

You can reduce stress by taking a leisurely walk, doing yoga, meditating, gardening...really, any kind of leisurely fun activity will do.

Eat a Better Diet

An image of an apple on the edge of a napkin with text that reads eat less better, with an X through the word less.

The right type of diet has many gut health benefits.

For example, the foods you eat can encourage or inhibit the growth of healthy bacteria, which can improve every bodily function.

A gut-healthy diet includes:

A LOT of high-fiber foods. (Fiber feeds good bacteria.) Eating plenty of colorful plant-based foods is one of the best ways to increase your good gut bacteria. Fiber can also help with weight loss because it is filling and helps prevent overeating.
Fermented foods like yogurt or sauerkraut will increase the number of beneficial bacteria. Therefore, fermented foods are, by definition, probiotic foods.

While eating these gut-friendly foods, try to reduce or eliminate foods that spur gut health problems. These foods destroy beneficial gut bacteria while feeding harmful intestinal bugs:

Heavily processed foods like potato chips, donuts, cookies, and almost all pre-packaged foods.
Sugar
Starchy carbs like white potatoes and white rice.

What About Taking a Probiotic Supplement?

You’ve probably heard of probiotic supplements. Yes, they are popular but usually contain just a few strains of good bacteria.

Plus, the digestive system often destroys them before they make it to the large intestine defeating the purpose. The solution?

Viscera-3™: The Gut Healing Powerhouse!

Why is fiber so good for your health? It feeds good bacteria. When bacteria eat fiber, they excrete POSTBiotics.

Experts believe that POSTBiotics are responsible for most health benefits of high-fiber diets.

Viscera-3™ contains what Harvard researchers call the "optimal" POSTBotic, TRIbutyrate.

It bypasses the bacterial fermentation process and goes right to work, promoting effective digestion, supporting a healthy brain, reducing inflammation, and improving overall health.

Click here to read more about Viscera-3™!