Your gut health is about way more than just digestion; the world of the human microbiome is much more complex than that!
To put it simply, your gut health can put you on the fast track to living with ample energy to do the things you love. Intrigued?
The Gut Health and Energy Relationship
When we have low energy, gut health is not necessarily the first thing you think of, although it should be! Your gut is where your body digests and absorbs nutrients from the foods you eat, giving you energy to perform daily bodily functions.
“When we have low energy, gut health is not necessarily the first thing you think of, although it should be!”
Our body is constantly creating energy within our cells, allowing our body to function on a daily basis. The mitochondria are the part of the cell that is responsible for energy production, so it’s essential they are able to function properly. This is where nutrients are so important, as the rate at which energy is produced is nutrient-dependent.
If our gut health is compromised, this means we won’t be able to break down our food and absorb nutrients for cellular energy production, leaving us feeling tired and lacking in energy.
How does an unhealthy gut impact energy?
When we unable to break down our foods, it means those undigested larger molecules that can’t be absorbed continue down the digestive system. They end up in places they aren’t supposed to be. This creates an inflammatory reaction in the gut and to make matters worse, if they are large sugar molecules they actually feed non-beneficial bacteria allowing them to multiply!
If we aren’t absorbing nutrients, it may mean we could be missing out on key vitamins and minerals like B1, B2, B5, B12 and magnesium. These key nutrients are essential for energy production.
"If we aren’t absorbing nutrients, it may mean we could be missing out on key vitamins and minerals like B1, B2, B5, B12 and magnesium. These key nutrients are essential for energy production."
Why might your gut health be leaving you lacking in energy?
1) Zinc Deficiency
Zinc deficiency is something we see a lot in the BePure Clinic and at seminar. Zinc allows the stomach to produce stomach acid, which helps us to break down foods for absorption. If we are zinc deficient we won’t be able to make enough stomach acid for proper nutrient absorption.
“Zinc allows the stomach to produce stomach acid, which helps us to break down foods for absorption.”
2) The Process of Aging
As we get older our ability to make the specific enzymes and bile, which are needed to break down food, slows down. This means as we get older we are not naturally producing the optimal level of digestive enzymes required for healthy digestion.
“This means as we get older we are not naturally producing the optimal level of digestive enzymes required for healthy digestion.”
3) Inflammation
When someone has inflammation in the gut, it is usually in response to excess sugar, food allergies and gut dysbiosis. An inflammatory response is your bodies way of telling you to pay attention so it can heal the affected area. When our body needs to repairs itself, more energy is used repairing the body, leaving you lacking in energy to do the things you love.
“An inflammatory response is your bodies way of telling you to pay attention so it can heal the affected area.”
Signs your gut health is impacting your energy
The most obvious signs will be digestive issues such as; acid reflux, indigestion, heartburn, bloating, gas and diarrhea. However, there might be less obvious signs your gut health is impacting your energy such as the following:
- Sugar cravings
- Bad breath
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Skin issues like eczema
- Moodiness, anxiety and depression
So how can you nurture your gut health and boost your energy?
We can address our gut health, first and foremost, through nutrition.
- If food is repeating on you, supporting your body with more digestive enzymes can help the process of breaking down and digesting food.
- We can address cravings, bloating, and gas by rebalancing our microbiome in favour of beneficial bacteria. Taking a probiotic like BePure Two every day can see a dramatic improvement in signs of an unhealthy gut.
- Adding gut-loving foods like bone broth or gelatine gummies which are high in collagen can be great for conditions like leaky gut. Some naturally probiotic foods like sauerkraut, bananas, reheated potatoes, kombucha, and kefir are delicious and nutritious ways to support your daily probiotic with benefical bacteria that can address those signs of an unheathy gut, and the root cause.
To receive professional support with any gut health and energy concerns feel free to book in for a free clinic discovery call.
