Understanding the gut microbiome: What is gut health?

Your gut health is so much more than whether or not you have a stomachache. While your gut is composed of your entire gastrointestinal system – from where food goes in to where waste comes out  – your gut health typically refers to your gut microbiome.

Your gut microbiome is the community of tens of trillions of tiny living organisms – mostly bacterial, both good and bad – that populate your large and small intestines. When all those good and bad bacteria are at ideal levels, they efficiently do their job of keeping your digestive health operating correctly so your body can absorb needed nutrients.

Why is gut health important? 6 benefits for overall health

But the health of your gut microbiome can affect other areas of your overall health and wellbeing, too. Emerging science is showing it can also impact the health of your skin, oral hygiene and immune system, among other areas. Let’s learn more – here are six reasons why gut health is important.

1. Supporting digestive health and GI comfort

One of the primary functions of the gut is digestion of the foods we eat. But our gut microbiome can show signs it's off kilter or unbalanced when you experience bloating, gas, irregularity or other intestinal discomforts.

2. Gut health and maintaining a healthy weight

The primary cause of having excess body fat is when someone consumes more calories than they burn through activity on regular basis. But researchers are increasingly studying the potential connection between the health of the gut microbiome and a person’s weight.

3. Gut health and the immune system

Your gut microbiome is home to about 70% of your immune system cells, making your gut and your immune system inextricably linked. Your microbiome helps distinguish between good bacteria or other things your body needs from things that might be harmful.

The immunity cells in your gut attack the things that pose a threat, working together with good bacteria to build a defensive layer and keep your body running smoothly.

4. Energy and metabolism

Researchers are studying the various connections between your gut health and low energy. But if you’ve ever had indigestion, you know the last thing you’re feeling is energetic, so taking care of your gut is important.

Also, a healthy gut means healthy digestion and that means your body is able to better absorb the vital nutrients it needs from the food you eat, allowing your metabolism to convert the nutrients into energy.

5. Healthy looking skin

Supporting gut health benefits skin health, as well. Research has shown that an imbalance in the gut microbiome can increase the risk of conditions like acne, psoriasis and other skin ailments.

6. Oral health

Want to support oral health? Your mouth is part of the digestive system and in constant communication with the gut. Thus, supporting your gut health can impact your oral microbiome and support periodontal health.

Studies also have shown that certain bacteria in the gut may trigger a response that leads to loss of the alveolar bone, which is where the teeth are anchored.

Gut health supplements to support digestive health

See why taking care of your gut health is so important? Your body works hard every day to try to keep your good and bad bacteria at ideal levels, but it’s all too easy to lose that delicate balance: Too many processed foods, not enough plants and other poor lifestyle habits can take their toll.

The most crucial factor in your gut health is your diet. It’s important to eat right, including plenty of plant-based foods, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. But gut health supplements can help, too. There are several supplements to support healthy digestion, such as white kidney bean extract, green tea extract or digestive enzymes.

But probiotics, postbiotics, prebiotics and fiber are also beneficial when maintaining a balanced gut. There are a variety of probiotics on the market, so it’s important to choose one that is a good fit for you. (Read 5 Things to look for in a probiotic to learn more.)

And some supplements combine multiple gut-supporting ingredients to offer a variety of benefits to support gut health as well as holistic health and wellness. 

Nutrilite Begin™ Daily GI Primer, for example, is a plant-rich, gut health supplement designed to prime the gut at the start of each day.† It features six gut-supporting blends, like postbiotics, prebiotics and fiber to promote the growth of good bacteria and a balanced gut microbiome as well as digestive enzymes to help break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

It also includes fermented greens, fruit and vegetable concentrates and alkaline spices. These gut-supporting ingredients complement each other to help support comprehensive gut health.

Nutrilite Metabolic Pre & Postbiotic also provides targeted benefits by supporting a healthy gut microbiome. It’s a blend of gut-healthy ingredients – postbiotics, prebiotics, botanicals and B vitamins – designed specifically to support healthy body composition, a healthy waistline and healthy metabolic function to help you achieve your healthy weight goals.*†

So, when you think about your overall health and wellbeing, make sure you consider your gut health right up there with diet, exercise and other healthy lifestyle habits. Your body will thank you!

*When consumed for three months and combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

†This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.