If you’ve been dealing with constipation, bloating, or other gastrointestinal (GI) issues over the last year, it’s time to make your gut health a priority.
Gastro Center of Maryland is ready to help you jump-start your journey to better gut health. We offer a range of treatments for GI conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and Crohn’s disease that affect your gastrointestinal health and quality of life.
Our experienced gastroenterologists also specialize in integrative nutrition and other services that support your long-term gut health.
Your gut is responsible for more than just breaking down the foods you eat. The gut is connected to the other major systems of the body and plays a role in immunity, skin health, and other vital processes.
Poor gut health is also linked to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. If you’re not eating well or missing essential nutrients, your body and mind can suffer the long-term consequences influenced by an unhealthy gut.
By focusing on small changes to start, you can improve your gut health and, in turn, transform your overall health to enjoy more vitality, higher energy levels, and better immunity.
It’s never too late to start focusing on your gut health, so the new year is a great time to move forward with gut-focused resolutions. Here are four recommendations from our gastroenterology experts to support your journey to a healthier gut:
The gut microbiome is the collective of microorganisms like viruses and bacteria that live in the digestive tract. This collective makes up a complex ecosystem that supports digestion, produces vitamins, and boosts immunity to strengthen your overall health.
You can build a better microbiome in your gut by eating more fiber-rich foods and incorporating probiotics like yogurt, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods. Ginger, turmeric, and other anti-inflammatory foods also support a healthy gut microbiome.
Our busy lives can trigger stress-related gut symptoms, like cramping, bloating, and constipation. The new year is a great time to bring more mindfulness practices into your life, such as yoga, breathing exercise, and meditation.
If chronic stress is too much to manage on your own, the new year is a perfect time to reach out to a therapist or other resource for professional help. By staying proactive about stress management, you can significantly reduce your risk for persistent gastrointestinal issues linked to chronic stress.
Daily exercise and other physical activities are vital for reducing inflammation in the gut and promoting healthy digestion. Engaging in at least 30 minutes of walking, jogging, yoga, or swimming can reset and restore your gut health.
Exercise is also a critical component of stress management and supports better mental health to reduce gut-related complications.
Drinking water is essential to good gut health. Water helps your body absorb nutrients and aids in digestion. Being hydrated also helps food move smoothly through the digestive tract to prevent constipation and other gastrointestinal issues.
In addition to upping your intake of water, you can also focus on reducing the consumption of caffeinated beverages and sugary foods and drinks to keep your gut microbiome well-balanced.
Call Gastro Center of Maryland to schedule a gut health checkup or book an integrative nutrition consultation.
