YOUR GUT IS WHERE IT ALL BEGINS Live well

DIGESTIVE HEALTH PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN OVERALL WELLBEING. HERE ARE FOUR WAYS TO KEEP YOURS IN CHECK

Did you know that 70% of your immune cells are found in your gut (aka your gastrointestinal tract)? So, it’s no wonder that keeping this element of your digestive system happy and healthy can impact how you feel – not only physically but mentally and emotionally too. The gut produces large quantities of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. While researchers are still working to understand the role these gut-derived messengers play in regulating things like mood, sleep and appetite, we know that your diet plays a key part in nurturing a diverse microbiome (all the microbes, such as the bacteria, that live in the gut), which is important for your overall health and wellbeing. Not only does a healthy microbiome help to produce chemicals such as serotonin (sometimes referred to as the ‘happy’ hormone), which plays a significant role in digestion, metabolism and other functions, it can help keep the ‘bad’ microbes at bay (too much of which can lead to side effects such as bloating).

‘Your gut is like the master control centre of your health and wellbeing,’ says nutritionist Jackie Lynch. ‘If you’re eating right and your gut is able to absorb the nutrients it needs, your body will have the right tools to support your health.’

Thankfully, keeping your gut happy is in your hands. Here are four ways to make sure the good guys stay in control.

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‘YOUR GUT IS LIKE THE MASTER CONTROL CENTRE OF YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING’