5 Ways to Heal Your Gut Naturally

It has long been known that our gut is considered our second brain, and the gut-brain axis is intrinsically connected. Many people may only give a second thought to the health of their gut once things become obviously out of order. Our gut microbiome consists of about 200 species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in our digestive tract. While most are beneficial and necessary for our overall health, sometimes things can get thrown out of whack, and the microorganisms become harmful. Cultivating a healthy variety of bacteria in your gut can help reduce the risk of conditions like irritable bowel disease, psoriatic Arthritis, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. If you’re currently dealing with gut health issues, keep reading for natural ways to get things back in order.

Lower Your Stress

Stress is known as the silent killer because it can impact your overall health and well-being on a multitude of levels. Experiencing chronically high-stress levels can significantly impact your gut, so consider lowering your stress levels if you’re dealing with gut health issues. You can do this through mindfulness like meditation and yoga, exercise like walking and spending time with friends, families, or even pets. Lowering your stress level is beneficial not only to your gut health but your mental health as well.

Hydration

We all know we’re supposed to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, but how many of us commit to this? Drinking plenty of water has been shown to increase the diversity of bacteria in your gut and reduce types of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal infections and discomfort; just like lowering your stress, staying hydrated benefits your overall health. Additionally, if one of your gut issues is constipation, drinking plenty of water will help ease that uncomfortable symptom.

Healthy Sleep

Countless studies have shown the key to overall health and longevity is getting plenty of rest; they even apply it to looking your best and call it beauty sleep. Not getting enough sleep every night, between 7 to 9 hours, can have a detrimental effect on your gut health so prioritizing restorative sleep is essential to restoring your gut microbiome balance. If you’re having trouble sleeping, it’s worth discussing it with your general practitioner to see if there are natural supplements that can help you fall asleep easier and stay asleep through the night. Some people may even need the help of pharmaceuticals.

Superfood Shakes

The term superfood has been a buzzword for over a decade, but many people breeze right past it without thinking about how beneficial it is to their health, particularly their gut health. Adding a superfood shake mix to your daily list of things you eat and drink can make a world of difference when it comes to your gut health. They’ve also been shown to boost energy, immunity, and overall health. Who doesn’t want that? These shakes are a great addition to healing your gut and combating the symptoms of gut issues like fatigue, constipation, or even diarrhea.

Pre and Probiotics

While most doctors agree that it’s unnecessary to take a probiotic or prebiotic daily when you’re suffering from gut issues, they are an excellent addition to getting things back on track. Prebiotics provide the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, and probiotics are living, good bacteria that your gut needs. If you’re very sick or have a compromised immune system, probiotics may not be the right choice. Additionally, you want to invest in high-quality probiotics and with the certain amount of strains that are best for you; that’s why consulting with your doctor before starting pre and probiotics is important, but this natural step can be a game changer.

In addition to the ways mentioned above to naturally heal your gut, chewing your food thoroughly and eating slowly can help with digestive discomfort, and in some cases, you may need to change your diet. High-fiber foods, fermented foods, collagen-rich foods, and even garlic have been shown to do wonders for your gut microbiome. If you struggle with abdominal discomfort for more than a couple of weeks, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor to rule out any underlying conditions. Here’s to your health!