Do These Two Things to Improve Gut Health
Gut health is such a big topic, and we are still finding out so much about it almost daily. With COVID-19, we are getting a lot of questions about how to boost immune function as the pandemic accelerates in the US. It just so happens that gut health and immune function are very closely linked. [1]
A diverse and strong microbiome = a strong immune system. Basically, bacteria teach our immune cells how to act and have a huge role in modulating immune response, as well as many other functions in the body from sports performance, brain function and weight management.
Most people may not have the time to really get into into all the grisly details, so for them this blog post will be a starting point. If someone makes no other changes than these 2 things, they will feel better and respond to possible infection better. They may even have more energy, feel smarter or lose a few extra pounds!
It’s important to note that boosting one’s immune function does not make them immune to a virus. It will however, make it less likely that they will get as sick than they would have otherwise. Keep in mind that “less likely” is an operative phrase here, so take the proper precautions to prevent infection.
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Eat Fermented Vegetables and Take Probiotics
In his 2006 book The Omnivore’s Dilemma, James Beard award-winning author Michal Pollan estimates that throughout history, at least a third of human diet across all cultures has been fermented foods. Today we are lucky if we eat a pickle. And even if we do get a pickle, it has likely been pasteurized or vinegar-cured to make it shelf stable.
If you haven’t eaten fermented cucumber, carrot or beet pickles, sauerkraut, or kimchi, you are missing out! These are great as an ingredient, side or garnish on everything from tacos to sandwiches and burritos. Did I mention tacos?
Try fermenting your own veggies. An easy one to start with is carrots, and you can add it to salads and cooked dishes for extra flavor!
Another option is to take a probiotic. Thorne FloraMend is a favorite of mine, because the strains of bacteria in it have been linked to weight loss, better digestive health and immune function. [2] Modern life has made it fairly difficult for some people to get what they need out of their diet, due to hectic schedules (mostly because of work).
Delete Added Sugars
Taking added sugars out of the diet is one of the best things you can do for your body. The World Health Organization recommends an intake of 25g or less in added sugars per day. Most Americans are getting at least twice that, and often they think they’re doing a good job of avoiding added sugars. Sugar is added to grocery store staples like salad dressings, condiments, bread, protein bars, yogurt and plant milk. It is literally everywhere.
What to do about it? Check the labels on everything. Sugar has so many names that it can get tricky, but several years ago, a law was passed that requires food manufacturers to list added sugars on the labels. Just check the label for added sugars, decide if the product is worth considering, then scan the ingredients to make sure it doesn’t have any nasty chemicals in it, then make your decision. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Food Scores tool, and they even have a healthy living app to scan things on the go!
There’s a whole world out there when it comes to a gut health journey, but if you’re looking for a place to start, these 2 things have been some of the biggest game-changers for some of my most successful clients. It can be useful to have a coach during a gut-healing phase, and if you’re interested in learning more about what your gut health journey might look like, schedule a free consultation or email questions to info@omnifunction.us.
[1] https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-gut-bacteria-essential-healthy-immune.html