We like to think of our gut as a mystical and elusive part of the body – a mysterious, magical place where enzymes can be made and food gets digested. In some ways, our gut is like an extremely valuable ecosystem that we must care for and protect. But in other ways, this “fascinating” organ is quite simple. The truth about what happens there. It’s just full of microbes! Your gut has three main functions: it's your home to trillions of microbes; it produces certain chemicals (such as serotonin) that keep you calm, and it helps regulate your blood sugar levels by secreting insulin or glucagon. A good thing to start with is to know and understand the basic functions of your gut, as that’s what will help you optimize gut health in the long run.
Here are a few simple facts about your digestive tract:
1. Your gut is home to trillions of microbes. 90% of the cells that populate your body are microbial cells (or microbial DNA), so the idea that there are bacteria in your gut isn’t surprising. That's probably surprising, though, is just how many of these microbe cells and microbes there are: trillions! This means that for every one human cell in your body, there are thousands – if not millions – of microbial ones!
2. Microbes are an essential part of your immune system. You have about 100 trillion cells in your body, and a large number of these cells are microbial ones. They’re part of your immune system – they help to defend you against pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, by making antibodies designed to attack them.
3. Your gut produces its chemicals (such as serotonin). These include important neurotransmitters that also play a role in various aspects of mood and brain function, including memory.
4. Your gut helps control your weight by secreting hormones. Roughly 90% of your body’s serotonin is made in your digestive tract, and this neurotransmitter helps you to stay calm and relaxed. It also helps to regulate your blood sugar levels – it does this by secreting insulin, or glucagon (which raises blood sugar levels for short-term energy).
5. Your gut is the seat of 70% of your immune system. The intestinal lining has several cells that bear a close resemblance to immune system cells called plasma cells. Most of these, though, are inactive until you eat something like gluten or casein from dairy.
Why is my gut so important?
Your gut is home to trillions of microbes. As your gut microbes come in contact with various chemicals, they can produce various chemicals that affect your body's function or establish a mutually beneficial relationship with other microbial cells. These microbial chemicals create a massive and complex ecosystem of microbes living inside you.
What’s in my gut?
The three main functions of your digestive system are being home to trillions of microbes, producing certain chemicals (such as serotonin) that keep you calm, and helping regulate your blood sugar levels by secreting insulin or glucagon.
What can go wrong with my gut?
Your gut helps control your weight by secreting hormones. Roughly 90% of your body’s serotonin is made in your digestive tract, and this neurotransmitter helps you to stay calm and relaxed. It also helps to regulate your blood sugar levels – it does this by secreting insulin, or glucagon (which raises blood sugar levels for short-term energy).
How do I optimize my gut health?
Your digestive tract is home to trillions of microbes. As your gut microbes come in contact with various chemicals, they can produce various chemicals that affect your body's function or establish a mutually beneficial relationship with other microbial cells. These microbial chemicals create a massive and complex ecosystem of microbes living inside you.
Conclusion
We conclude that gut health is very important. You need to protect your gut to make sure it functions properly and performs its basic functions. Without a healthy gut, you might experience digestive problems such as bloating and nausea, among other issues. The good news is you can optimize your gut health by simply eating the right foods. You’ll also want to avoid taking antibiotics whenever possible (these kill good bacteria as well as bad ones).
Other things like avoiding gluten and casein from dairy are a plus too.
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