Strategies for Promoting Gut Health

Promoting gut health has become a popular topic over the past few years. Gut health is essential for overall health and wellbeing. It can help improve everything from skin health to better moods. Here are some strategies and remedies for promoting gut health.

Stick to Whole Foods

Inflammation is one of the culprits of gut issues. Processed foods, such as deli meats, frozen, ready-made meals, and pre-packaged snacks, are full of artificial ingredients that are not digested easily. Processed foods also tend to increase inflammation in the gut. When possible, stick to whole foods— the fewer ingredients on that label, the better! Whole foods are generally more nutritious, easier to digest, and less inflammatory than processed foods.

Choose Organic Whenever Possible

Try to buy organic produce whenever possible. We know organic options are more expensive, but certain fruits and vegetables are worth the extra cost. Conventional produce is full of pesticides and artificial preservatives that harm gut health.

Eat More Fiber

Fiber is your digestive system’s best friend. Although our bodies cannot digest fiber, it has many essential roles— one of them being food for the good bacteria in our gut. When these good bacteria flourish, it improves immunity, digestive health, mental health, and more. Fiber also helps eliminate toxins and waste from the body. Beans, legumes, seeds, fruits, and vegetables are generally high in fiber. If you have kidney disease, always check the nutrition labels for other nutrients you need to limit, such as potassium.

Take Probiotics

Probiotics are live cultures of bacteria that are good for our overall health and digestive system. These probiotics are in fermented foods, such as kimchi, yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and anything pickled. Probiotics add to the healthy bacteria found in our gut, which are responsible for our overall health. The greater and more diverse that population of bacteria is, the better! Not only do these bacteria support a healthy gut, but they also contribute to the health of all of our organ systems, from the skin to the brain. You can purchase probiotics as a supplement, but it’s better to take natural sources of probiotics.

Certain studies have indicated that consumption of probiotics may improve gastrointestinal function and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.