—the most important relationship you will ever have is the one with yourself—

Its pretty compelling to learn that we are consuming more and more foods that do not contain the proper nutrition and support for our microbiome. Instead, we are killing it. The microbiome is dependent on what we eat and, in turn, affects how we feel.

—You are in charge of your body—

It’s also incredible how the food industry has changed over the years to make things more convenient and available and, simultaneously, less healthy. We live in the age of modern industrialization and experience chemicals on and in our foods more than anyone who lived before us.

Ok, what does this have to do with GUT HEALTH?

We are filled with trillions of microbes that communicate with one another and in turn, the rest of our body! They reside in our gut, which comprises the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, and colon.

This microbiome is 99% of our associated genetic material. It is fixed at conception when passing through the birth canal, getting covered with flora, then being handled by the nurses, coming home to mom and dad and siblings, even pets and passed through the mother’s milk, on and on.

The bacteria in your gut perform many functions: digestion, breaking down foods, aiding in the absorption of nutrients, eliminating toxins as well as governing your mental makeup and emotional well-being. There are generations of bacteria living in you.

Good bacteria contribute to these functions and can be further improved with healthy probiotics and diet and exercise. Good bacteria can also relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression and enhance your mood. On the other end, bad bacteria can lead to gut dysbiosis and inflammation and are even linked to several mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

The gut is where nutrients become processed, and microbes express enzymes or neurotransmitters. An example is when you eat, neurotransmitters release hormone cells in the gut to the brain, signaling “fullness.” Microbiome need the proper diet in order to properly communicate messages to your body, like this one!

Everything concerning your physical, mental, and emotional health begins and ends with the gut. Some studies suggest over the last 75 years, with ages getting younger and younger, the development of colon cancer, fatty liver disease, neural health, and emotional behavior are on the rise. One major root cause being processed foods. They keep microbial life from growing due to the preservatives, leading to poor gut health and microbiome.

Research suggests that 90% of diseases are triggered due to an unhealthy colon. Guess where the majoity of your microbes are located in your gut—your colon.

“Health and happiness are synonymous. If you are healthy, you experience happiness. And when you are happy, your body responds to that happiness at a cellular, physical, mental, and emotional level.”

—Dimple Jangda

So what about that “gut” feeling…totally a real thing! Feeling butterflies or the urgent feeling to suddenly leave or cancel something. Sometimes, something just feels, off. Have you heard of “ENS”, enteric nervous system, what scientists refer to as a “second brain”.

—The gut is full of millions of nerve cells called neurons, more than the actual brain—

Neurons transmit information between different areas within the body and brain. Emotions are experienced in the gut, memories are stored there and over 75% of serotonin is released in the gut. This is where the saying, “the way to everyone’s heart is through their (stomach) gut!” Good food and nostolgic food creates triggers of great memories and a boost of seratonin because of it!

Make food your medicine, not medicine your food.

When it comes to beauty on the inside, the healthy and good bacteria, the microbiome universe inside of you, it is your path to being and feeling healthy resulting in beauty on the outside!

Did you know, our hair and skin both become affected in the case of leaky gut syndrom? All vital nutrients are saved for essential organs, leaving the superficials, like skin and hair, last in line to recieve nutrients. The unhealthy bacteria and undigested food toxins leak from the gut and deposit under the skin. This can trigger psoriasis, eczema and other skin disorders, even hair loss.

Your skin is a powerful indicator and visual representation of your internal health.

I know, it’s a lot to digest.It is complicated and ther are so many moving parts! (all a very literal pun!)

So, all this poses the question, how do we make sure we get and maintain a healthy gut?!

Our final email in our 3 part Gut Health and Beauty on the Inside series will deliver some great tips from leaders in the gut microbiome world, top scientists, and researchers on the topic. There will be tips, recipes, product information, and resources to educate further and inspire your gut health journey. I will even share details on my journey and how I am just breaking the tip of mountainous information on this newly discovered concept of gut health. I can’t wait to share it all with you—cheers to a healthy microbiome.

—A S H L E Y

NEXT email TOPIC: How to care for your Gut health

*Resources

—“Heal your Gut, Mind, & Emotions” —Dimple Jangda (link for this book can be found on Ashley’s Favorite Things page on website)

—Gut Health series on Masterclass.

*Disclaimer: we are not medical doctors or trained beyond our own research in the field or topics spoken of. We simply have a passion about gut health and all things beauty and want to share our tried and true (for us) insight, tips + tricks with others experiencing the same interests.