Can you heal your gut and lose belly fat?
Are there other links to good gut bacteria and our health both mental and physical?
I wish to share with you some information about the importance of good gut health and how you can improve your life.
The bacteria that live in our gut play such an important role in our general well being. We have trillions of these microbiomes in our digestive tract that make up their own eco system. They impact everything in our lives from Fat Loss, Inflammation, Depression and even Anxiety.
To give you an example let’s talk briefly about FAT LOSS. The bacteria living in our gut plays such a huge part to insulin sensitivity which controls the way our body responds to carbohydrates; especially how likely it is to turn them into fat. Increasing our insulin sensitivity makes it easier to burn carbohydrates.
Research has shown a correlation between low gut bacteria diversity and obesity. This means that we need to optimize the gut bugs to ensure that they are working effectively enough to stop us storing fat around our stomach area especially.
Our brain and stomach are inextricably linked, and you notice this when you have indigestion for example which is a known side effect of stress. However, things have progressed in that we are learning that whilst the mind can affect the gut, the gut can also affect the mind.
Check The Signs
I believe that it is important for everyone to have a gut health check every so often to ensure that your gut is always working at its peak of fitness.
Firstly, determine if you have an issue e.g. Diarrhea, constipation, stomach cramping. Other signs that could be linked are Bloating, Heartburn or stomach pain.
Secondly look at other signs you might be experiencing such as eczema, rashes, psoriasis, depression, anxiety, migraines and headaches for example.
Please note that everyone is different and that you want to notice changes to your body that are unusual from the normal experiences you have had.
Thirdly, start a food diary and this might build up a pattern and help you link to a food source e.g. Lactose, Sugar, Gluten,
Home Microbiome testing kit might then be worth purchasing to give you an insight to what your own microbiome ecosystem might be doing.
Better Food Choices
The biggest and easiest way to change things in your gut is to eat more Fibre such as Fruit, Vegetables, Lentils, Whole Grains which will help ferment in the intestines. Also, probiotics (food that breaks down into chemicals to feed good bacteria) such as Onions, Garlic, Leeks and Oats.
Ensure that you eat a wide variety of different whole, nutritious food as they all play differing roles when it comes to gut bacteria.
Limit your animal products and at least have 1 day per week that is meat free. Animal and dairy products are highly inflammatory.
Sugar, Starch, Saturated and Trans Fats are also highly inflammatory and can lead to poor absorption of nutrients which can lead to serious health conditions such as Crohns Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Foods such as Live Yoghurt, Kim chi, Temeh, Miso and Kombucha are excellent sources of probiotics. (Stay away from anything pasteurized as these kill off bacteria). Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast often described as the good or friendly gut bacteria.
Research is finding that a healthy microbiome will help in reducing inflammation and fight against illnesses such as colds, heart disease, arthritis, cognitive deterioration, and some cancers. In addition, the bacteria may help burn body fat and reduce insulin resistance.
Try Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent Fasting of about 16 hours has also been shown to help good gut health. Giving your gut a rest from digestion can help to lower the inflammation, shed water weight, and reduce bloating. The other health benefits of Intermittent Fasting are huge, so it is worthwhile trying.
Intermittent Fasting is a great way to heal your gut and lose belly fat
Sleep More
Ensure you are getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation increases our cortisol levels (stress hormone) which in turn affects our gut. This can create inflammation which can become another issue with the gut and natural processes such as digestion and metabolism.
Get Your Stress Levels Under Control
Getting your stress levels under control will hugely help with keeping your gut healthy. Chronic stress has been linked to Leaky Gut Syndrome which is caused from inflammation. It is therefore important to know what those triggers could be, Work, Emotional, Physical or Environmental. You then also need to find a way that works for you to combat this stress and help it to subside.
Reduce Workload
Make time for FUN
Yoga
Journaling
Exercise
Get Enough Sleep – 6 to 8 hours
Breathing
Clean Up your environment
Exercise More
The last thing for me is about getting enough Exercise. A study in both lean and obese people looked at reactions when active and sedentary. In both groups during periods of exercise they saw an increase in microbes that produce the short chain fatty acids that our bodies especially need during indigestion.
Aerobic exercise especially has been linked to an increased number of bacteria in your gut diversity which helps your microbiome. Regular exercise is an important step in getting your gut healthy.
What Are Short Chain Fatty Acids?
Short Chain Fatty Acids are the main source of nutrition for our colon and play an important role in our health and disease such as Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Colon Cancer and Obesity.
Short Chain Fatty Acids are produced when the friendly gut bacteria ferment fiber in your colon and are the main source of energy for our colons.
Conclusion
Therefore, a Healthy Gut is important for our longevity of life, it will help to lose bodyfat and it is something that is within our own control. It is so important for us to look after ourselves to keep us both physically and mentally fit and certainly free from illnesses and disease.
Think about these areas where you can help yourself to live better
Food Choices
Intermittent Fasting
Exercise including Aerobic Activity
Sleep
Relaxing Techniques
Change your mindset to change your lifestyle which will help you to live and feel better.
Let me know what you think and how you get on. Help others by sharing your comments and questions.
Dan Sicat
I did not know that keeping our guts healthy could help us lose belly fat. I will try eating yogurt from now. My wife is struggling to lose belly fat even if she is not eating that much. Maybe she has problem with her gut. Thank you for the information on how to know if your gut is healthy or not and how to make it healthy. I was also surprisws that intermittent fasting can improve the gut’s condition. Thank you for this very informative article. Now I know the benefits of keeping our gut healthy.
Imelda Easthorpe
Thank you so much Dan,
I am so pleased that I am able to help your gut health and that of your wife. I have done an article on intermittent fasting also which you might wish to read.
Thank you again
Cynthia
Great article about healthy gut. It is so important that people understand the basics of healthy eating because it goes such a long way long term for our physical and emotional well being.
Instead of people looking for fad diets, they need to implement a healthy eating style that they can maintain and enjoy for the long term. As you mentioned, staying healthy is on our own hands. We need to educate ourselves and implement the right habits.
Imelda Easthorpe
Thank you so much Cynthia,
I am so pleased you share the same views as myself and I really want others to understand also.
Our health is in our hands and hopefully this article will help educate others.
Thank you
Pranali
Great tips for loosing belly fat!! Keeping your gut bacteria in check can help you in many ways. I had no idea that gut bacteria can also help in loosing belly fat. Thank you for educating me about this. I am trying to loose belly fat but not successful yet. I will including your diet tips into my routine and see if it helps. Thank you so much.
Imelda Easthorpe
Thank you for your comment,
Unfortunately, belly fat is definitely the hardest to shift but if we help ourselves you will notice a difference. Please ensure that exercise, sleep, drink plenty of water and then also abide with the gut health you will see an incredible difference.
Thank you again.
Enrique
Hi, Imelda,
I knew there were bacteria inside our bodies, but I never knew they had anything to do with losing weight. That was something new.
You mentioned dairy products. I’ve noticed I can’t drink cow milk anymore. As much as I like it, my body seems to reject it. I guess I’ll have to look for a substitute.
Regarding intermittent fasting, it is my understanding it’s not advisable if you’re suffering from hypertension or diabetes. I think it’s better to see your doctor before trying it out.
The only recommendation I can’t follow is reducing my stress levels. Most of it comes from work. It’s something I can’t control. But that’s a different problem.
Thanks for sharing.
Imelda Easthorpe
Hello Enrique,
Lots of great comments here. I have lots of information regarding Cow’s Milk so I am pleased that you are not drinking it anymore. Try to come off milk altogether it is much better for you even substitutes. Almond Milk would be my recommended favourite substitute.
In regards to Intermittent Fasting oddly enough it can reduce blood pressure and can also help with Type 2 Diabetes in particular. I have added a post about this on my page so you are welcome to have a look.
https://health-huddle.com/inte…
Stress is really difficult but something as easy as getting more sleep might just be the trick.
Great comments thank you
Jomata
Hello there thank you so much for this very detailed and informative post on gut healing and body loss I must say that the Importance of a healty Gut to the body cannot really be over emphasized as mentioned above that a healthly gut can increse the logtivity of our lives and keep body fat in control thus it is of utmost importance to give it due attention. And for me I’ll start with Intermittent Fasting.
Imelda Easthorpe
Thank yo Jomata,
Looking after our gut is just so key to our overall health which is why I wanted to share this piece. Also so many people are trying to lose their belly and it is surprising that with these small tips what a difference it can make.
Thank you so much
edahnewton1
Hey nice article you have there. Thanks for sharing such a timely information. My belly fat has been given me a lot of worries as it has taken me out of shape. This has made me to search for treatment that will help in burning the fats. Having gone through process and activities of burning belly fats in this article. I will definitely employ them, while hoping for the best results. Will keep you inform via this platform on any improvement. Warm Regards
Imelda Easthorpe
Thank you ,
I really enjoyed reading your comments and I am so pleased that I have been able to help you. Just adjusting your lifestyle in a small way can make a big difference.
Please let me know how you get on or if I can help some more.
Thanks again