Spotlight on Gut Health

In the nutrition world, there is a new spotlight on gut health – and that’s a good thing! Your gut is comprised of your stomach, small intestine and large intestine. Studies are showing that an imbalance of the “good” and “bad” bacteria in your gut could play a key role in diabetes, heart disease, your mood and inflammatory bowel diseases¹. Having good gut health means you can optimally digest and absorb nutrients from your food without discomfort such as constipation, gas or bloating. Good gut health also means having a stable and balanced microbiota (the community of bacteria that lives in your gut), a strong immune system, and a state of well-being with a normal quality of life².

Back to Bacteria
In your intestines, your microbiota consists of 10 trillion to 100 trillion bacteria and other microscopic organisms and at least 160 different species! Your microbiota evolves naturally throughout your life, but it can also be impacted by things such as genetics, medications, lifestyle and nutrition³. When working optimally, the “good” bacteria can supply your body with essential nutrients, synthesize vitamins, break down undigested food remnants, help digest dietary fibre, stimulate nerve function and promote healthy immune function¹. Symptoms such as bloating, food intolerance, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation can indicate an imbalance of gut bacteria². Beyond digestive issues, poor gut health can also play a role in acne, depression, obesity, and nutrient deficiencies^1,2.

What can you do in your diet to promote a healthier microbiota?
Here are my top 4 nutrition action steps you can take to help promote better gut health:

1. Add probiotic rich foods into your daily food intake. Probiotics are strains of “good” bacteria just like those found naturally in your gut. Consuming daily probiotic rich foods you can help rebalance the diversity of bacteria in your gutsup>1,2,4. You can find probiotics in fermented dairy foods like yogurt, kefir and aged cheeses that contain live cultures – Look for Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the ingredient list, these tend to be the most common probiotic bacteria added to dairy foods. Also, strive for variety by including other sources such as kimchi, kombucha, fermented vegetables, sauerkraut, miso and tempeh⁴.
2. Feed probiotics with prebiotics. Prebiotics are non-digestible food components that help promote the growth of potentially beneficial bacteria in the gut^3,4. Prebiotics can be found in a wide range of foods, making it an easy step to increase your consumption! You can find them in foods like onions, garlic, tomatoes, leeks, whole grains, and bananas⁴- just to name a few. For dinner try stir-frying tempeh and asparagus and serving with 1 cup brown rice for a gut healthy dose of prebiotics and probiotics4.
3. Decrease reliance on artificial sweeteners. Research is showing that regular artificial sweetener consumption (aspartame and sucralose, for example) could lead to alternation of the gut microbiota⁵. Instead of reaching for an artificially sweetened pop, try adding fresh mint, cucumber and ginger into a pitcher of sparking water for a refreshing and flavorsome beverage.
4. The Big Picture. It is important to remember that you should look at your diet as a whole when thinking about improving gut health. Strive for a varied diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and high quality proteins such as salmon in order to help promote a more diverse microbiota and improve overall health. With increased fibre, ensuring adequate hydration is key to help prevent constipation.

Are you looking to help optimize your health and nutrition through what you eat and drink? Registered Dietitian services are available through Shoppers Drug Mart at shoppersdrugmart.ca/dietitians. 

The information provided is for personal use, reference and education only and is not intended to be a substitute for a Physician’s advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional for specific information on personal health matters. Please note: Dietitian services are currently only available in Ontario. Please contact your store to learn more. ®/TM 911979 Alberta Ltd. ©2020 Shoppers Drug Mart Inc.

References

1. Int J Mol Sci. (2015). Impacts of Gut Bacteria on Human Health and Diseases. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425030/
2. BMC Medicibe. (2011). 'Gut health': a new objective in medicine? Retrieved from: https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1741-7015-9-24
3. Today’s Dietitian. (2014). The Gut Microbiota — Is It a Novel Contributor to the Obesity and Diabetes Epidemics? Retrieved from: https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/111114p22.shtml
4. Eat Right. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2018) Prebiotics and Probiotics: Creating a Healthier You. Retrieved from: https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/nutrient-rich-foods/prebiotics-and-probiotics-creating-a-healthier-you
5. Nature. (2015). Non-caloric artificial sweeteners and the microbiome: Findings and challenges. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25831243
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