Improve Your Gut Health To Improve Your Fitness

Have digestive issues ever interfered with your physical training? Focusing on your gut microbiome can work wonders for your overall health. There are a variety of approaches to consider when it comes to balancing your gut.

Eliminate Problematic Foods

Inflammation in the gut is typically caused by your immune system’s response to what you’ve eaten. The collagen lining of your intestines is packed with immune cells that discern any potential threats like harmful pathogens, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that a collagen-rich diet improves your bowel movements. Many food allergies are a byproduct of heightened immune activity in the gut.

Leaky gut syndrome is a common ailment that results from the weakening of the gut’s protective lining. Therefore, it’s essential that you figure out for yourself which foods may be straining your digestion.

Try eliminating the most problematic inflammatory foods––gluten, dairy, soy, and corn––and re-introduce them one at a time to understand the effects on your digestion. Take notes on each food group for a week, and strive to stop eating the ones that make you feel bloated or otherwise upset to your stomach.

Fortify Your Immune System

Prolonged mental and emotional stress, just like inflammatory foods, can weaken your immune system. This creates more opportunities for the overgrowth of bad bacteria.

Whenever possible, fortify your immunity with additional vitamin intake. Vitamin C and Zinc are especially important. Adrenal support supplements can calm your adrenal glands, which regulate the release of stress hormones like cortisol.

Lifestyle blends from brands like Le-Vel Thrive could provide you with the extra nutritional boost you need to keep your immune system healthy. Other Thrive side effects include increased focus and energy, which will definitely come in handy during your physical training efforts.

Introduce More Probiotics

Encouraging the production of beneficial microorganisms in your gut can be spurred by the consumption of probiotics. Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain living advantageous microbes. As they establish themselves in your intestines, they contribute to healthy digestion and protection against infection.

Popular probiotic foods are made via fermentation. Among them are kimchi, kefir, Greek yogurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha. If you don’t enjoy the taste of fermented foods, you can obtain probiotics from capsules as well.

Use Natural Digestive Aids

When you are simply having a bad digestion day and need a quick fix, natural digestive aids can speed up the process and resolve any discomfort.

If you experience heartburn or a churning stomach, try apple cider vinegar for additional stomach acid production. Ginger and other herbal teas that purify the small intestine are great for indigestion.

Generally speaking, certain foods are more soothing to your gut than others. Cooked foods and soft foods like smoothies are easier to process internally since they are already partially broken down. Focus on these categories when you are dealing with digestive discomfort.

Eat Antibacterial Foods

For serious infections, there are a handful of powerful antibacterial foods you can eat. Many people prefer this over obtaining an antibiotic from the doctor since most antibiotics tend to kill some beneficial bacteria as well.

Garlic, cinnamon, and cloves are gentler antibacterial foods to start with. Stronger options include berberine and grapefruit seed extract. Pay close attention to how these make you feel as you heal whatever infection you have.

Hydrate With Water

No matter what you eat, your body cannot gain nourishment from it––nor can it flush out any toxins––without sufficient water. Staying hydrated is more than just consuming any beverage. In fact, drinks like coffee, tea, alcohol, and soda will ultimately dehydrate you and put further strain on your body.

Your gut will absolutely thank you for drinking plenty of water. Strive for at least two liters a day. If you live in a hot climate, you will probably need even more than that.

Addressing gut imbalances will look different for everyone. Understanding the science behind your gut function is a great place to begin. By creating a healthy gut environment, you’ll be able to gain all the benefits of your conscious eating so you can thrive!

Mark Palmer

Mark Palmer is a small business expert who has a passion for helping entrepreneurs make the most of their company. As a freelance writer, Mark hopes to influence others so they can have a positive business experience. Mark’s interests include hiking, skiing, and discovering new business podcasts.