The GI Tract and Your Health

A healthy life starts in the gut, and when your gut is unhappy, you’ll know. When problems occur in the gut, they can manifest anywhere in the body in a wide range of symptoms. Keeping the GI tract healthy can ultimately improve overall health and quality of life.

Immune System

  • Over 70% of your immune system resides in the gut, and the tow have a strong interrelationship.
  • The immune system and GI tract work together to protect the body from any incoming harmful microorganisms or toxins, which increase damage and inflammation.

Liver

  • Your liver is tasked with processing and eliminating harmful substances from the body.
  • Along with the GI tract, the liver works as a filter, protecting the body from toxins.

Thyroid

  • When the gut barrier is damaged, what was once normal, daily stress becomes an unmanageable burden.
  • An imbalance in stress hormones leads to a change in thyroid hormone production, which increases the risk of developing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease or hypothyroidism.

Brain

  • If you’ve ever felt butterflies in your stomach, you have witnessed the interconnection between the brain and the gut.
  • The gut is like a “second brain” in that it plays a profound role in multiple areas, including digestion, mood, stress, and sleep health.

Skin

  • When there is inflammation and damage in the lining of your GI tract, skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema and rosacea, may occur.
  • These conditions all result from an imbalance in bacteria levels, inflammation, and immune activity.

Cardiometabolic

  • The type and quantities of good and bad bacteria have a strong influence on inflammation in the body.
  • Inflammation plays a role in several cardiometabolic conditions, including atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and blood sugar regulation.