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Your gut does a lot more than just help digest your food. It influences your mood, immune system, and every organ in your body. An unhealthy gut can cause a myriad of significant health issues, including irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other serious conditions.
If you’ve been experiencing symptoms like bloating, gas, and unpredictable bathroom visits, your body is telling you there might be something wrong with your gut. Common causes of gut health issues are poor diet, stress, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Improving your gut health isn’t just good for your gastrointestinal tract. It’s necessary for your overall health and well-being. If you’re overwhelmed about how to go about doing this, don’t fret; board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Husney of Jack Husney, MD, in Brooklyn, New York, is here to help.
With his expertise in managing and treating gut health issues, he can help you improve your digestive health and quality of life. Here, he helps you better understand your gut’s role in your body, and offers a few natural ways to improve its health.
Understanding your gut health
Your gut houses trillions of bacteria, both beneficial and detrimental. Collectively known as the gut microbiome, these microbes are crucial to help your body digest food, absorb nutrients, and regulate your immune system.
For your microbiome to work efficiently, it needs to maintain a delicate balance. An imbalance can lead to many issues within your digestive system that affect your entire body, so it’s crucial to maintain a healthy gut.
Natural ways to improve your gut health
With proper management, you can reverse the effects of an unhealthy gut. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Improve your nutrition
One of the best ways to improve your gut health is through your diet. Adding fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, can encourage beneficial bacteria to grow in your gut.
On the other hand, reducing your consumption of processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats can prevent harmful bacteria from accumulating. Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kombucha are also packed with probiotics, the good bacteria your gut loves.
Stay hydrated
Water does more than relieve your thirst; it keeps your digestive system operating smoothly, preventing constipation and keeping the lining of your intestines healthy. You should drink at least eight glasses of water daily to support optimal digestive health.
Manage stress
Your brain and gut are linked, which means stress can directly impact your gut health, leading to an imbalance in your gut bacteria. Finding ways to unwind and relax, whether through meditation, reading, or spending time in nature, supports improved gut health.
Get moving
Regular exercise can improve the diversity and strength of your microbiome. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a bike ride, or a yoga session, finding an activity you enjoy can do wonders for your gut health.
Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use
While sometimes necessary, antibiotics can throw your gut health off balance. Use them carefully, always under the guidance of a health care professional who understands how overuse — as well as improper or unnecessary use — can adversely affect your gut health.
Sleep well
Don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep on your gut health. Try to get seven to nine hours of shut-eye every night to support your gut bacteria and improve your overall health.
Heal your gut, improve your health
To improve your gut health naturally, make small, consistent daily changes in your diet, lifestyle, and mindset to benefit your digestive system and entire body.
If you’re struggling with gut health concerns like GERD, IBS, or another digestive disorder, Dr. Husney and our team provide expert care to heal your gut and restore a better quality of life. Give us a call today at 718-872-5270, or click online to book an appointment at our office in Brooklyn, New York, anytime.