Well-being begins with gut health
When we deal with the topic of health, we cannot ignore the topic of intestinal health. Because our intestines are the center of our defense. It contains around 80% of the cells of our immune system. It quickly becomes clear that our intestinal health is crucial for our well-being. And don't we all want well-being? But what exactly do we mean by that and how can we positively influence our well-being? Well-being means something like good physical and mental well-being. Various influencing factors play a role.
But what does all this have to do with the intestines?
First of all, some very basic information about our intestines. Our intestine is the largest internal organ and is up to eight meters long. This snake-like organ is extremely complex and much has not yet been (fully) researched, but more and more insightful insights are being gained. In recent years, nutritional research in particular has increasingly focused on the intestine, or more precisely on microorganisms that are present in the intestine. Researchers have found that these same microorganisms have an immense influence on our general health.
Health begins in the gut
On a physical level, the intestines do an impressive job. In addition to the main task, the digestive function, the intestine is responsible for providing nutrients and vitamins, providing energy, detoxification and immune defense. But many other processes, such as the formation of enzymes and hormones, also take place in our intestines. Conversely, our intestines are also involved in countless diseases: from obvious gastrointestinal diseases to cardiovascular diseases and even asthma. So far so good, but very few people know that our intestinal health also influences our mental well-being and our mood.
The intestine, the “second brain”
The millions of bacteria in our intestines not only influence our physical well-being, but also our mental well-being. It is not for nothing that the intestine is also called the “second brain” or “intestinal brain”, because it has its own nervous system, the so-called enteric nervous system , which has a similar structure and complexity to our brain. This intestinal brain is in constant communication with our head brain. Here we are talking about the so-called gut-brain axis, i.e. the neuronal connection between the gut and the brain. Sayings like “Butterflies in my stomach” or “Something hits my stomach” refer to this connection and illustrate how much our brain influences the intestines.
The gut controls the brain
But the signals not only go from the brain to the stomach, but our intestines also send signals to the brain. So there is a mutual exchange and our intestinal bacteria also have an influence on emotions and well-being. And on a massive scale! Today it is clear that a whopping 90% of communication comes from the gut and only 10% of the signals are controlled by our brain.
Stress management for a healthy exchange
In order to enable communication to be as friction-free as possible, it is important to support our intestines. One starting point is the topic of stress management. Because with both physical and psychological stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, the primary stress hormone cortisol is released and ultimately digestion and communication with our brain are weakened.
Support intestinal flora with fermented foods
It is at least as important to actively support our intestinal flora. This can be influenced favorably through a healthy and balanced diet, as well as, for example, by supplementing with a fermented preparation. Fermented foods are preserved by certain bacteria, fungi or cell cultures. This fermentation process creates valuable bacterial strains, probiotics, which promote intestinal health. The word probiotics comes from the Latin pro (for) and the ancient Greek bios (life). Loosely translated, probiotics means something like “for life”. Some of these bacterial strains are naturally present in foods such as natural yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, miso, apple cider vinegar and kombucha. If you want to consciously build up your intestinal flora or generally support it, you can also use fermented preparations. It is important to note that our intestines want to be continuously supported. Because as soon as the body lacks the essential bacteria for a few days, the intestinal flora develops backwards.
So we remember:
Our intestines are much more than just a waste disposal area for the food we eat. The intestinal brain and the head brain are in constant, mutual exchange. A healthy intestinal flora is essential and can be built and supported through a healthy diet and the additional intake of fermented products.
The power of multiple fermentation
