Gut health and its impact on immunity and ageing

The majority of us are aware of the concept of “gut health” and understand its importance to our overall wellbeing. But what exactly does having a healthy gut mean? Our gut is a home to millions of microorganisms, with about 1000 distinct species, including various types of viruses, bacteria, yeast and other fungal bodies. Some of these microorganisms are harmful to our health and the others are very beneficial and important for a healthy body. Studies on people who have lived to be 100 years old in Blue Zones around the world have also shown that the structure and function of the gut microbiome determine whether or not a person will live to be 100 years old in good health. These people also appear to have high populations of “good bacteria.” A healthy gut is said to be when there is a good balance between the good as well as the bad bacteria and viruses. In other words, if your gut health is poor, your immune system, hormones, and general health will suffer as a result. Some of the researches have also indicated that having a variety of bacteria in your gut may lower the risk of diseases including psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetes.

According to studies, the secret to healthy ageing may lie in maintaining a healthy gut.Everything starts with our gut. It facilitates the breakdown of the food we eat, takes in nutrients, and utilizes them to energize and sustain our body. It is therefore more difficult to maintain good health and healthy ageing if our gut is out of balance and our immune system isn’t functioning properly. Our body eliminates metabolic waste and pollutants in our gut. However, our body will find it difficult to eliminate those toxins if we have a poor digestive system. People therefore encounter symptoms including brain fog, constipation, joint discomfort, etc.

Below mentioned are some tips to improve your Gut health and boost immunity and ageing:

1. Consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, and legumes

Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of nourishment for a healthy microbiome since they are high in fiber. Fiber may be broken down by certain bacteria in our stomach, which encourages the growth of those bacteria. Legumes and beans both contain a lot of fiber. Bifidobacteria, for instance, are beneficial bacteria because they may lessen intestinal inflammation and enhance gut health. It has been proven that eating foods including apples, artichokes, blueberries, almonds, and pistachios increases a person’s Bifidobacteria levels.

2. Exercising Regularly

The majority of the bacteria in our guts have a symbiotic connection with our bodies, which means that both of our systems contribute to the health and growth of these microorganisms as well as their support of bodily functions. They generate vitamins, fatty acids, and amino acids that are necessary for a variety of processes, including immune system health, digestion, mood management, and more. Exercise on a regular basis quickens the process, increasing the variety of microbial species in the stomach and promoting the growth of bacteria.

3. Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption

Your microbiome may also be badly impacted by excessive drinking. Recurrent alcohol consumption is connected to gastritis, an inflammation of the gut that causes discomfort. Heartburn, ongoing pain, ulcers, and bacterial infections can all result from such inflammation. Additionally, excessive drinking is linked to intestinal inflammation, which is an indication of a bad gut. According to research, this form of inflammation can upset the microbiota’s balance and change how well it functions.

4. Probiotics

Probiotics may improve or prevent gut inflammation as well as other intestinal or systemic disease phenotypes by reestablishing the balance of the gut microbiome and introducing beneficial functionalities to gut microbiome. Probiotics may be very useful for elderly people, notably in terms of infection prevention and potentially also in the prevention of a number of age-related disorders.

5. Consuming Natural Supplements

It is important to make sure that our body has adequate levels of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and even microorganisms to make sure we perform and function at our peak. Different supplements like Glutathione, Magnesium complex, NAD+ booster, Alpha KetoGlutarate, Probiotics, Colostrum and Omegas constantly help our body manage this network of metabolism and make sure that no processes in our body are short-circuited because of lack of an important molecule.

In conclusion, your intestines are home to billions of bacteria that are vital to your health. On the other hand, modern diets heavy in fatty, salty, or sugary processed foods may impair the ageing gut, whereas higher fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, seeds, beans, and nuts, together with regular exercise, may assist maintain a healthy gut microbial balance as we age. As a result, it may serve as a warning sign for a variety of chronic illnesses.Maintaining the gut health is crucial for many elements of normal physiology, especially as we become older as longevity and the ageing process are significantly influenced by the gut microbiome. The good news is that, the gut microbiome can be used to combat age-related cognitive decline with the use of modern supplements.

 

(Mr. Darshit Patel, Chief Scientific Officer, Decode Age)