Suddenly, everyone you know seems to have some kind of stomach problem. Sensitive stomachs, problems with gluten or milk, and all sorts of food allergies. Was it always like this? And how did we get here?
Dr. Mariel Silva, a Healthy Ageing Specialist at SHA Wellness Clinic, and Dr. Jason Culp, a naturopathic doctor at Chiva Som, talked about why so many people were having gut problems, the answer was clear. Modern life doesn’t help us have healthy gut bacteria. “The balance of the microbiome depends on many things, including what we eat, how stressed we are, how well we sleep, how active we are, what medicines we take, and our health history,” says Dr. Silva. Often, people think they’re helping their gut every day by taking a probiotic. While that can help, she says it’s not enough, especially if your life is out of balance.
You might wonder, is this really a big deal? Is gut health that important? The answer is a strong yes, because your stomach does much more than you think.
“The stomach is often called a ‘second brain’ because of the gut-brain connection – a complex, two-way way your stomach and brain talk to each other,” explains Dr. Culp. When your gut bacteria are balanced, you’re more likely to have steady energy, think clearly, and feel good emotionally. But when things are out of balance, you can have digestive problems, anxiety, swelling, and even skin issues.
The good news is, you can heal your gut, and you can do it at home. Here’s how:
Eat a Variety of Foods: Social media might try to tell you that the key to health is meal prepping. But science says something else. A healthy gut needs many different foods with lots of fibre and nutrients. That means eating a wide range of colourful meals, and not just eating the same chicken, broccoli, and rice every day. This includes eating different kinds of fibre. Dr. Culp suggests eating different fibre-rich foods like cooked and cooled potatoes and rice, apples and oranges, as well as oats.
Eat Fermented Foods: Fermented foods have lots of good bacteria. Try adding foods like kimchi, plain yoghurt, kefir, kombucha, or natto to your diet to make your gut bacteria stronger. But don’t eat too much too soon, as it can make you feel sick. Start with a small amount.
Drink Water Regularly: “Drinking water throughout the day helps your stomach move fibre and waste more easily,” says Dr. Culp. Proper hydration also helps your body take in nutrients and helps with other parts of digestion, leading to healthy gut bacteria. But be careful about when you drink. At SHA Wellness clinic, they don’t allow water on the table during meals because they think it can get in the way of digestion. Dr. Silva suggests drinking water between meals.
Get Good Sleep: Sleep is like medicine. It’s when your body rests, fixes itself, and gets rid of toxins. But this only happens if you get good sleep. To sleep better, try to wind down before bed. This means limiting screen time, eating your last meal 2-3 hours before bed, and having a simple bedtime routine. Wearing blue-light blocking glasses an hour before bed, reading, yoga nidra, or even simple stretching are good ways to relax your body and get ready for deep sleep.
Lower Your Stress: When I first started wearing a WHOOP band, I realised I didn’t really know what stress was. By tracking my stress levels during the day, I could see what made me stressed and what helped me relax. The goal isn’t to get rid of all stress – it’s to get enough rest and relaxation to balance your body. Try adding a few minutes of breathing exercises to your day to help your body relax. Saunas are also a great way to help your whole body by helping with fluid movement, better blood flow, and deeper rest. The Heat Healer’s Energy Sauna or the Sauna Suit Recovery Jacket are easy ways to enjoy the benefits of a sauna at home.
In short, the rise in gut problems isn’t something we can’t fix. It’s a sign that we need to look at how we live. By eating a variety of foods, taking care of our gut bacteria, drinking enough water, sleeping well, and managing stress, we can start a journey towards a healthier inside and a better life. For the readers of I Luv Moda, taking care of your inner health is just as important as living a stylish and good life.
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