A healthy gut means a healthy body and a healthy psyche

It could be said that everything begins and ends in the gut. A healthy gut means a healthy body and a healthy psyche. After the brain, the intestines are the second command centre of the body. The body's immunity depends on their condition. The intestines are one of the largest concentrations of immune and nervous system cells in the body.

We are living ecosystems. Our bodies both inside and outside are home to billions of tiny micro-organisms mainly bacteria. They begin to populate our bodies mainly at birth, where the first colonisation occurs during childbirth. There are numerous studies confirming that natural childbirth is in many respects desirable and a prerequisite for future health. During childbirth, when the baby passes through the mother's birth tract its body is covered with the first micro-organisms. The microbes that inhabit the intestines are called the intestinal flora (microbiota, microflora) and it is on them that the digestive processes and absorption of nutrients also depend. They also guarantee the body's immunity.

The intestinal flora is also involved in the production of enzymes and certain vitamins, as well as serotonin. Imagine that this famous 90% happiness hormone is produced in the gut and not in the brain! The state of the gut largely determines how we deal with stress, which affects not only our mood and body condition, but of course our appearance - especially our face and also our skin. Stressed people have a lot of tension in the body, and the face is already a veritable stress map! Therefore, an adequate gut flora also affects our wellbeing and is really worth taking care of.

One of the biggest enemies of the gut microbiota is, of course, antibiotics. If antibiotics are overused, the bacterial flora is destroyed and very poor, which severely disrupts the gut and thus many other processes throughout the body. It is very important to ensure that the gut is re-colonised with bacteria after antibiotic therapy and such a process should continue for up to six months, and not only during antibiotic therapy as we usually hear.

We can of course look for probiotics in pickles, but this should not be their only source. Probiotic drinks obtained by herbal and fruit fermentation are valuable, and can be bought ready-made under the name of probiotic liquids and substances. Also, apple cider vinegar is abundant in probiotic bacteria, mainly from the species of Lactobacillus i Bifidobacterium. Probiotics can also be found in fermented dairy products.

A healthy gut also means a nice and healthy complexion. The condition of the skin is very dependent on the functioning of the gut. Even acne is very much linked precisely to gut health.

The basis for caring for the gut as a foundation for health and a nice appearance is to consume adequate amounts of fibre, i.e. primarily consuming vegetables and fruit, limiting gluten, which glues the intestinal villi together, and taking care of a good intestinal flora, i.e. providing probiotics from a variety of sources.

There is also no way for the bowels to function well without drinking enough water. Each day should start with two glasses of really warm but not boiling water (approx. 60 degrees Celsius). Then, throughout the day, you should drink a total of between two and three litres of warm water, depending on your body weight. Now you are probably wondering why I am talking about warm or hot water and not cold water. Warm water primarily cleanses and stimulates the metabolism and, as it says Ayurveda does not extinguish the digestive fire, the appropriate level of which is responsible for the digestive process. Warm water is also an essential element for weight loss.

Not only is a varied diet, rich in natural foods, important for the health of the gut, but also how you eat. Therefore, also pay attention to what you think and talk about while eating. If this is accompanied by a nervous atmosphere it will not be good for your gut. Besides, by thinking about difficult, unpleasant things you are actually feeding yourself not only with the meal itself, but also with the energy of your thoughts. You need to eat your food slowly, biting thoroughly, avoiding stressful situations during eating that cause you to swallow air and create gas. Calm breathing and regular physical activity are also important, as healthy bowels like movement.