“Digestive enzymes help to break down carbs, protein and fats in your food into smaller molecules so they can be absorbed into your body. The gut also removes waste products while absorbing water, salts and electrolytes, and hosts the gut microbiome,” Rabess explains.
“Gut microbes also support immune function (70% of the immune system resides in the gut), hormone regulation, inflammation regulation and communication between the brain and the gut.”
When the gut is unhappy, you might experience bloating, constipation and stomach pains. Other issues might not be as obvious.
“The absence of gut symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have good gut health,” says scientist, dietitian, nutritionist and author, Doctor Megan Rossi, aka The Gut Health Doctor, external.
“This is because our gut health extends beyond digestive symptoms to impact areas like your mental health, heart health and such.”
In short: look after your gut, and your gut will look after you.
