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Happy Bowel, Happy You!

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Is your Bowel Happy? Have you ever thought of it? I know, it feels easily "uncomfortable" referring to their own bowel during daily conversations. Nevertheless a Happy Bowel is the key for a Happy You across several physical and mental health parameters.

Let's look at the physical ones first:

Digesting the food we eat to get the most from it : when your bowel works well, nutrients are absorbed so your body gets the necessary vitamins, minerals, and energy from the food you consume.


Supporting your Immune System to protect yourself from bacterias and viruses: Approximately 70-80% of the body’s immune system is managed in the gut. The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), which includes structures like the Peyer’s patches, is a crucial part of this immune system. A healthy gut microbiome helps regulate immune responses and protect the body against harmful pathogens.The gut is home to a vast network of immune cells that help protect the body from harmful pathogens and regulate immune responses. Additionally, the gut microbiome plays a significant role in shaping immune function, influencing the body’s ability to fight infections and maintain overall health.


There is no need to embark into fancy detox programmes, if your bowel is happy: The bowels (yes, there are multiple ones!) are essential for eliminating waste products and toxins from the body through a natural detoxification process. Poor bowel health can lead to the accumulation of harmful substances, which may contribute to illness, like Inflammatory Bowel Disease and colorectal cancer, among the others.

A healthy Bowel will contribute to Optimal Hormonal Balance, which regulates several processes across the body: The gut helps regulate hormone levels, including those related to metabolism, appetite, and stress. Imbalances in gut function can disrupt hormonal equilibrium, contributing to issues like weight gain or fatigue. Sugar cravings are often driven by these imbalances and stimulate their proliferation.

When referring to the mental parameters, recent studies reinforce the impact of a Happy Bowel also on a Happy Brain and on an overall sense of wellbeing.


As Mental Health is an increasingly important matter at personal and at societal level, an happy bowel can support Mood Regulation and brain health: The gut is often referred to as the “second brain” due to the large number of neurotransmitters produced in the gut. Imbalances in the gut microbiome can influence mood, leading to conditions like anxiety and depression.


Gut and Brain seem to be closely connected: Emerging research suggests that a healthy gut can influence brain function, cognitive health, and even stress resilience. Maintaining bowel health may have a positive impact on mental clarity and emotional stability.


A happy bowel can support you in coping more effectively with your daily schedule, Increasing Energy Levels: A healthy digestive system allows for more efficient nutrient absorption, which in turn provides the body with the energy it needs to function optimally throughout the day.


How do all these benefits sound to you?

They seem like good reasons to look more closely at the own bowel health. This can be affected by several food and lifestyle choices and you have the power to select the right ones.


REFERENCES

“Human Nutrition and Dietetics” by J. S. Garrow, W. P. T. James, and A. L. Ralph, 2000

Round, J. L., & Mazmanian, S. K. (2009). “The gut microbiota shapes intestinal immune responses.” The Journal of Immunology, 182(1), 5-9.

Zhang, X., et al. (2020). “Gut microbiota and colorectal cancer: from pathogenesis to therapy.” Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 347.

Samson, P. A., & Anderson, G. (2019). “Gut microbiota and food cravings: How the gut can alter what we want to eat.” Nutrients, 11(4), 788.

Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F. (2017). “Gut microbiota: A bridge between brain and behavior.” Neuro gastroenterology & Motility, 29(6), 1367-1378.

Ticinesi, A., et al. (2017). “Gut microbiota and aging: a review.” Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 29(5), 1035-1043.


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