Your gut houses trillions of microbiota, acting as a second brain and controlling how you think, feel, and also what you eat. And ignoring it is taking a gamble with your health, something not recommended.
What are Gut Microbiota
Gut microbiota include the trillions of bacteria and fungi living in our gut. They are responsible for helping the stomach enzymes to digest food, helping the immune system, and maintaining our mood. Though not visible to the naked eye, they still play an important role in maintaining our health.
They are responsible for digestion, help digest food, help absorb nutrients, and help synthesize essential nutrients such as vitamins and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Gut microbiota also protects against pathogenic invasion, supports health immunity, and enables gut homeostasis. The composition of gut microbiota is unique from individual to individual and is determined by diet, lifestyle, environment, and exposure to medication. Overall, gut microbiota variation is important to health.
Gut Microbiota and their role in digestion
The gut microbiota consists of trillions of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that can be found in the gastrointestinal tract, with the highest density occurring in the intestines. They play an important role in supporting digestive health and through metabolic functions. However, while there are many other microbes throughout the body, gut microbiota is particularly important because they provide a direct interface in relation to diet, food components, nutrients, and to some extent the immune system.
During digestion, gut microbiota assist in the digestion of otherwise indigestible and complex carbohydrates and fibers, as well as proteins. Gut microbiota also produce beneficial compounds such as short-chain fatty acids that provide energy and serve as fuel for the intestinal lining, which helps to maintain gut integrity. Gut microbiota can also modify the composition of enzymes to assist in converting foods into absorbable nutrients.
Gut microbiota also serve as a protective barrier against the establishment of potentially pathogenic microbes by naturally providing a protective barrier in the form of biofilm. Additionally, gut microbiota can provide a training ground for the immune system, regulate inflammatory processes, and influence and assist in the balance of processes that impact nutrient and mineral absorption,
The gut microbiota play a very crucial role in aiding our digestive system.
Complex carbohydrates and fibers are broken down by the gut microbiota, making them easily digestible. Thus, a balanced gut ensures better nutrient absorption, smooth digestion, and lower chances of digestive discomfort.
Beyond Digestion - Supporting Overall Health
Beyond digestion, the gut microbiota plays an important role in influencing the overall health of an individual.
- As the gut microbiota break down the complex food particles, they also help in controlling fat absorption, inturn controlling obesity.
- The gut microbiota support the immune system by helping the it identify the friendly microbes and assisting in eliminating the harmful microbes.
- As the gut is in constant communication with the brain, a balanced gut means feeling happy and less stressed.
Maintaining Healthy Gut Microbiota
The food you eat directly influences the Gut Microbiota. Feed it healthy food, and it would thrive; feed it junk, and it would diminish.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and yogurt provides your body the required probiotics needed to maintain a healthy gut.
And similarly, if you eat processed food, you are creating trouble for the microbes.
Thus, it is safe to say your meal determines how your gut and your overall body function.
Habits that lead to a healthy gut
Eating plants and probiotic-rich food and remaining hydrated are important for maintaining gut health. Regular exercising, including brisk walking, helps in boosting microbial diversity in the gut.
To further understand how nutrition supports gut balance, read about How Prebiotics And Probiotics Work Together To Boost Gut Health.
FAQs
Q: What is gut microbiota in simple terms?
A: They are the trillions of bacteria and fungi living in the gut, which help in assisting the digestive system and maintaining overall health.
Q: What is their role in digestion?
A: The microbes help in breaking down food into simpler nutrients, thus helping easy absorption.
Q: What happens if the gut microbe balance is disturbed?
A: The condition, called dysbiosis, can lead to compromise in digestion, thus impacting body immunity and mood.
Q: What can lead to an unhealthy gut?
A: A low-fiber, excess-sugar diet; lack of sleep; and taking excess antibiotics are the factors that lead to an unhealthy gut.
Q: What steps should be taken to make the gut healthy again?
A: Eating a diet full of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, staying well hydrated, having a proper sleep pattern, and exercising daily are the steps to be taken to make the gut healthy.