Written by: Nicole Liammari, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Gut Health... Gut Microbiome... Gut-Brain Axis...Probiotics… Do these buzzwords sound familiar? They may or may not, but you have landed in the right place to learn more and why it is important.
Did you know that 14.8 million Americans have been diagnosed with ulcers? Maybe you are reading this right now and saying “wow, that's sad, but what the heck does this have to do with me?” Quite simply, Americans are not taking care of their guts, and it is a problem. Join me in this movement of making Americans healthy again.
With the pandemic still in play, now more than ever, we need to focus on our health. And guess what? Surprise, it begins in the gut!
For years, I personally struggled with managing my health and staying healthy. Starting from childhood, I struggled with my health. From asthma to autoimmune diseases, to depression, anxiety and other physical issues stemming from car accidents and other incidents, I have struggled with feeling strong and healthy from day today. In a quest to feel normal, I tried it all. When the conventional medicine route unfortunately proved to be far from life-changing, I decided to take my health into my own hands. I read, studied, and began managing my own stress through some very practical tactics and I was able to heal myself completely. Since that time, I have been helping others become their own advocate to feel their best.
Here is what you need to know right now. Our bodies are truly resilient and when given the right tools and maintaining a focus on being in the right environment, our body can, in fact, heal and thrive. I learned that gut health is the most important aspect of one’s overall health and wellness.
So, let’s dig in and get to why and what you can do to level up your health….
First things first... Our body is full of trillions of bacteria, viruses and yes, fungi. All of which are known as the “microbiome,” and most of which live in the gut and on the skin. We call these “microbes.”
Here is an interesting fact, our bodies are made up of more bacteria than human cells. Our bodies have approximately 40 trillion bacterial cells and approximately 30 trillion human cells. Bacteria is a big thing when it comes to our bodies.
Simply put, the gut is our control center managing the digestion of food, our immune system, central nervous system, and other bodily processes. Research shows there are more signals going from the gut to the brain than from the brain to the gut! It does much more than most people think. So now is the time for you to choose a healthy life. Yes, you can heal yourself if you can treat your gut the way you do everything else that is important to you. With love, care, and attention.
As a nation, we have seen a huge increase in autoimmune diseases year after year. Some people do not even know they have an issue until it is too late. Starting today, IBS, acid reflux, GERD and other digestive disorders can be a thing of the past. More to come on this topic.
So, what can you do starting today to optimize your gut health to either heal or prevent the not so fun symptoms that affect your daily life?
1. Watch your sugar intake
Sugar wreaks havoc on the gut and can lead to gut dysbiosis (imbalance of gut microbes). This also includes artificial sweeteners and alternatives. Sugar and sugar alternatives are hidden in processed foods... so be sure to read the labels. Raw honey or maple syrup is a great alternative.
2 Know your Antibiotics
In society, it seems antibiotics are prescribed like candy, when maybe it is not exactly necessary. Antibiotics can disrupt the gut flora in the sense that it kills the good and the bad bacteria which leads to gut imbalance and can cause issues later. So, if antibiotics are a must, be sure to have a plan to restore and repopulate your good gut bacteria.
3. Manage Stress
Stress is part of life. However, one key aspect of staying healthy is to manage it as best as possible. Research shows stress does create digestive issues and major health concerns. Things like a trauma suffered (any type) can still be affecting our body even if it happened in the past. Breathing, yoga and movement are great tools to implement in your life as you prepare to transform your body so you can feel amazing.
4. Take a Natural Probiotic
Every. Single. Day. It is crucial to protect and support our gut microbiome from daily stressors. It promotes healthy bacteria. Fermented dairy is king in this department as it is the most diverse in strains, unlike man-made pills. You can make your own or use an option that is versatile, hassle-free, all-natural and tastes delicious. Click here for the 1 Natural Probiotic.
I hope you find these tips helpful! These are a great start to loving your gut daily.
If you want to learn more about my gut journey or how to start yours, I would love to chat! Click here and tell me more about yourself and let's connect.
Nicole Liammari, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Nicole Liammari, Founder + CEO of My Gut Hut, is a leader in the mind + gut + body + soul connection.
From a young age, Nicole struggled with severe asthma and allergies. Being on multiple medications,
missing out on fun childhood activities and never knowing when an asthma attack would strike, left her uneasy and vulnerable. Fast forward to adulthood, she survived a major car accident, diagnosed with autoimmune disorders, depression, anxiety and prescribed multiple prescription drugs, putting her once again fighting for her life.
After conventional medicine failed her and hitting rock bottom, Nicole decided to take matters into her own hands because she knew life wasn’t meant to be lived in such pain and angst. She became her own advocate and avid researcher, leading her to heal completely, defying all the odds. She quickly realized how the body is so magnificently interconnected and how past trauma, thoughts, food and more play a vital role in wellness.
With that, Nicole made it her mission to help inspire and empower others as she saw so many missing links in how illness is addressed and how it does not have to be a life sentence. She is able to connect on a deep level with others, mentoring them through their journey via her tailor-made Protocol that encompasses the true pillars of wellness, focusing on the gut + mind coherence leading ones to heal themselves and living a life they deserve.
Nicole’s motto is “ Heal your Gut, Heal your Mind – Heal your Mind, Heal your Gut”
