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5 Signs Your Digestive System Is in Optimal Condition
Did you know that the condition of your gut can influence your skin complexion, how often you fall sick, and even your mood? After the brain, the human gut is much like a secondary control centre! While it may be well-known that physical activity and a well-balanced diet play major roles in your well-being, the unsung hero in the journey to good health is oftentimes the digestive system, or gut. Here are five ways in which good gut health can benefit you, as well as tell you whether or not you have a good gut.
Clear Blemish-Free Skin
Studies have shown that not only is good gut health linked to a healthy complexion, a poor system can also lead to skin conditions such as acne and blemishes.Like your skin, the wall of your digestive system has microscopic holes. When your system runs low on good bacteria, bad bacteria can enter through these holes and cause inflammation, which may result in skin blemishes and acne. Your gut contains trillions of bacteria, with an ideal ratio of 85% good bacteria and 15% harmful bacteria. When the balance is disrupted, you will feel unwell.
Healthy Bowel Habits
While bowel habits may seem the most obvious way of telling whether or not you have good gut health, do you know how to properly decipher if your stool and bowel movements are that of a healthy digestive system? Stools and bowel movements are different from one person to the next, so there is no use comparing your bowel habits with others. The simplest way is to benchmark against your previous “movements”. If you find yourself passing stools less than before, start to experience pain or discomfort, or notice any other significant differences in your stool without changing your diet, you might need more good bacteria.
Mild-Smelling Breath
Do you have bad breath even though you brush your teeth regularly? The problem might not lie with your toothpaste, but your gut! An imbalance between the good and bad bacteria in your digestive system can turn heads when you speak, and not in a good way. One method to tell if you are affected is that your breath becomes worse shortly after indulging in something sweet. Without realising it, we often feed our body with food that promotes the growth of bad bacteria in our digestive system. Skip the breath mint and take a probiotic drink like VITAGEN Less Sugar instead.
Stronger Immune System
Did you know that your gut constitutes most of your body’s immune system, more than your white blood cells? Think of your gut as a “sponge” that absorbs nutrients from the food you eat. Your gut gets more worn out as you munch on junk food regularly and do not consume enough good bacteria in your diet. A balanced gut not only absorbs nutrients from your meals. At the same time, the immune cells in your gut are like “security guards”, escort invading pathogens out of your body. By getting enough probiotics in your diet, you can keep your “sponge” in peak condition, and its “security guards” strong and alert
Active Mind and Memory
Usually your mood and spirit is affected by illness. This happens because our gut has a direct link to your mind. Your gut contains so many neurons, or “brain cells”, that it is often referred to as the second brain. These neurons are connected to your central nervous system, which is basically your brain and spinal cord. The particular nerve called the vagus is where the connection between the gut and brain lies. The neurons in your gut produce an estimated 90% of your body’s serotonin, which is associated with mood, memory, sleep and social behaviour.
