How Can I Improve My Gut Health Without Medication?

Your gastrointestinal system, or gut, contains up to 500 different types of bacteria. Though we generally think of bacteria as “bad,” because some types can make us sick, other “good” types of bacteria play a critical role in digestion, nutritional absorption, and general well-being.

All the bacteria in your gut create a microbiome that’s unique to your body. Both good and bad bacteria exist in your gut microbiome, and if there’s more good bacteria than bad, your gut is healthy.

A healthy gut is essential for a healthy life. But sometimes, the balance between good and bad gut microbes shifts and puts your health in jeopardy. 

Lyle Robinson, DC, APRN-C, CNE, and our team at LeHeal Biogenix HQ, LLC, specialize in gut health and wellness. In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at the importance of gut health and what you can do to improve your gut health without medication.

Gut health and whole-body health are connected

Your gut extends from your mouth to your anus, and includes your esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon along the way. It breaks down food, absorbs the nutrients you need, and disposes of waste.

Your gut converts food into energy to keep you alive, but it’s also important in nearly every other bodily system — from immunity to brain function. 

A balanced gut microbiome helps your immune system protect you from getting sick. It helps produce critical brain chemicals, including serotonin. It affects your cholesterol levels and your heart health. And It helps regulate your blood sugar, potentially lowering your risk of diabetes.

On the other hand, an imbalanced microbiome can lead to a range of health issues. An unhealthy gut could limit your ability to fight disease, and it can increase your risk of gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Too much bad bacteria can even contribute to weight gain and obesity.

How to boost gut health and balance your microbiome

Gut health matters, but what happens when your microbiome gets out of balance? There are a few different ways to improve your gut health. Depending on your health and your symptoms, Dr. Robinson may recommend:

Eating a varied diet

The food you eat directly impacts your gut microbiome, and eating a varied diet can improve the amount of good bacteria you have.

Make a habit of eating high-fiber foods, like beans, fruit, legumes, and whole grains. Foods high in fiber can promote growth of healthy bacteria in your gut.

Fermented foods, like yogurt and kefir, naturally contain healthy bacteria. Eating these foods can increase the amount of good bacteria and decrease the amount of bad bacteria in your microbiome.

Limit sugar, artificial sweeteners, red meats, processed foods, and alcohol in your diet. These foods can limit healthy bacteria and encourage the growth of bad bacteria.

Taking probiotics

Probiotics supplements contain live bacteria. These supplements are available over-the-counter at most drugstores, and taking probiotics is one of the best ways to restore gut health naturally.

If you aren’t sure what to look for, talk to Dr. Robinson. He can recommend the best type of probiotic for your needs and tell you how long you should continue taking the supplement.

Trying peptide therapy

When dietary changes and probiotics aren’t enough to balance your gut microbiome, you may be a good candidate for peptide therapy. Dr. Robinson provides this revolutionary therapy to supplement the microbes in your gastrointestinal tract and reduce symptoms from indigestion to pain.

Treatment takes just five minutes, and there’s almost no risk of side effects. Dr. Robinson injects the peptide solution, which stimulates tissue growth and repair to boost your overall gut health.

Ready to get started? Contact us to get a personalized wellness plan. Call our Tampa, Florida, office at 813-999-2192, or schedule your free consultation online now.