Given that approximately 80% of your immune system is in your digestive tract and that the digestive system is the mechanism for proper absorption and utilization of nutrients, it’s safe to say that a healthy gut yields a healthy body. Living organisms in our digestive tract (bacteria and fungi) help to fight off invaders and eliminate toxins that enter our body. This internal community of beneficial organisms also help to properly break down the food that we eat and regulate metabolism.
In order to achieve optimum gut health, we need to provide an internal environment that is favorable to beneficial (or probiotic) organisms. An unhealthy gut allows for harmful organisms to take over and leads to increased risk of bacterial and fungal infections throughout the entire body. In order to provide a healthy environment for these “good” organisms to flourish, you’ll need to eat plenty of plant-based foods that are nutrient-dense, high in fiber, and have a low sugar content.
Supplementing with a high-quality probiotic, incorporating fermented foods, and avoiding acidic foods such as alcohol, sugar and caffeine will establish a healthy environment for these probiotic organisms. A healthy gut will reduce bloating and digestive discomfort, and will also ensure regular bowel movements that will prevent toxins from accumulating in the body.