**This is a sponsored post. All contents are for information only and do not constitute medical advice.**
Have you made any health-related New Year’s Resolutions for 2023?
It’s that time of year when people choose to take part in Dry January or Veganuary. Some choose to give up smoking, others make a pact to lose weight – either by eating more healthily or exercising more.
But what about being more specific?
Improving your gut health may not be something you’ve considered focusing on…but here’s why it’s so important, and how you can improve your gut health in 2023.
Why is good gut health so important?
The human gut contains trillions of both helpful and harmful microorganisms – keeping the two in balance can make a huge difference to your health. It’s not just gut health that these microorganisms impact, either.
According to scientists, improving your gut microbiome can potentially:
- Aid digestion
- Improve longevity
- Regulate hormones and the immune system
- Improve your mood and mental health
- …and more!
Signs that your gut health needs work include loose stools, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, bloating, gas and constipation – as well, in some cases, as bad breath, sleep disturbances, unintentional weight changes and skin irritation.
The good news is that even relatively small changes may make a big difference to your overall gut health. Here are four things you can try.
1. Reduce processed food consumption
The results of the PREDICT study from ZOE reveal that a diet high in highly processed foods is associated with having more “bad” gut microbes. Conversely, diets high in minimally-processed, plant-based foods had a strong associated with a greater number of “good” gut microbes.
With processed foods generally higher in saturated fats, chemical additives, refined carbs and salt, it’s not just gut health that is affected. Processed foods are also linked with type 2 diabetes, cancer, IBS, heart disease and more: reducing their consumption could have a positive impact on health in a huge number of ways.
2. Increase fibre consumption
We’re always told that increased fibre consumption is good for our health – and studies prove that fibre can have a positive effect on the gut microbiome. Increasing your fibre intake for just 2 weeks, according to one study, can significantly change your gut microbiome composition for the better.
Wondering how to get more fibre into your diet? Check out this information from the NHS – they say that most adults are only eating around 20g of fibre per day, rather than the recommended 30g.
3. Consider environmental and lifestyle factors
Gut health is not just about diet. Many environmental and lifestyle factors can also play a part.
Poor sleep, high levels of stress, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, insufficient exercise, exposure to toxins and overuse of antibiotics can all affect how well your gut performs. Are there any ways in which you could make changes to reduce these factors?
4. Take food supplements
Probiotics are often recommended for gut health – but during times of extreme stress you may find that they don’t work: the additional stress will impact negatively on your gut health, and those probiotics may simply not be able to work hard enough to restore the balance.
However, there’s a food supplement that contains good bacteria that will thrive even when you’re stressed. With Ferrocalm supplements, live bacteria are released into the large intestine for the maximum possible benefit.
Interested in learning more? Find your Ferrocalm on their website.