Immunity and Gut Health

We’ve been discussing how the strength of one’s immunity impacts overall health. Through regular exercise and good nutritional eating practices, our bodies are able to build and maintain a robust defense so that we can ward off illness and experience optimal wellness. 

The possession of a strong immunity is always within our reach, especially when it comes to deciding what we put in our mouths. Good nutrition is the key to our body’s defense. How? It starts with the consumption of whole foods that promote a healthy gut or gastrointestinal tract. Good bacteria or flora that is numerously contained in the gut help keep our tract fit by fighting infection that is caused by harmful pathogens. When we eat foods that are high in fiber and low in sugar and saturated fat, our bodies are able to maintain a proper balance of these good microbes that can outweigh the bad ones. 

With too much sugar, alcohol and saturated fat consumption, we get an excess of bad bacteria that can cause inflammation leading to a disease known as leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition in which gaps in the intestinal walls widen, allowing bacteria, toxins and undigested food particles to pass into the blood stream. This can cause digestive disorders, inflammatory breast cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other ailments. A way to prevent this disorder is to eat fermented and high fiber foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole wheat grains, like oatmeal. 

The beneficial bacteria, also known as probiotic bacteria, live in our GI tract and account for 75% of our immunity function; they are the key to maintaining good health. With the aid of the above mentioned nutritious foods, microorganisms are able to thrive and prevent diseases from forming in the gut.  They are a governing factor to our immunity because they work with our cells to help regulate our metabolism and fight infection. In essence, they work hand in hand with our immunity. 

Although eating healthily seems like a no-brainer, the difficult part for many is in sticking to a consistent diet that will benefit our gastrointestinal system. Long work hours, vacation, holidays and other life events can distract us from sticking to our normal eating patterns. Even stress and lack of sleep can cause an imbalance in your microbial level. Anxiety, depression and sleeplessness often cause us to binge on sugary and salty junk food that can induce a leaky gut leading to some of the ailments that were mentioned. 

The best approach to avoid the pitfalls of poor eating habits is to plan your menu ahead of time with meals that will incorporate the right nutrients to nourish the digestive organs and preserve the bacteria that protects your immunity. Now that summer is here, it cabe especially hard to decide what to eat for that picnic, camping trip, or day on the beach. If you’d like to learn how to keep yourself on track with healthier eating habits, while still enjoying some fun in the sun, I’d love to talk to you. My name is Sunny Sarah and I am a Wellness Coach. You can reach me at sarahreinholtz18@gmail.com or call 908-510-3899.