Trust your gut. When your tummy or digestive system feels off, there’s a buzz phrase to describe the problem—gut health. According to the NIH, as many as 60 to 70 million people are affected by digestive diseases.
Today, there’s greater awareness of our gut health—and the key role it plays in our overall health and wellness. We talked to a Susquehanna Valley doctor who explains how to get your gut in tip-top shape.
What is gut health?
Digestion—how your body breaks down food in order to absorb nutrients—is at the core of gut health.
“Gut health is a pretty broad term for how your belly feels every day—but it means more than that,” says Dr. Aaron Sachs, a surgeon with Leader Surgical Associates–UPMC York, and director of the UPMC Comprehensive Reflux Program for UPMC in Central Pa.
Why is gut health so important?
Gut health is determined by a balance of bacteria, hormones, and nutrition—and if that balance is off, Dr. Sachs says you’re more vulnerable to diseases such as acid reflux, inflammatory bowel syndrome, gall bladder disorders, and more.
What role does bacteria play in gut health?
“Your gut has what’s called a microbiome,” says Dr. Sachs. “Your GI tract is not sterile—there are tons of bacteria that have a symbiotic relationship to your body. Some bacteria are good, and some are bad. There’s some thought that the balance of bacteria in your gut affects your body and health long-term. My theory is, it comes naturally if you eat a balanced diet.”
What if bad bacteria take over?
When bad bacteria outnumber the good, it can lead to a condition called “C. diff”. Antibiotics can also skew your balance. While there’s a lot of marketing behind foods containing probiotics, with claims they enhance the production of good bacteria, Dr. Sachs says the short answer to whether they work is, “Maybe. Certainly, I don’t think they hurt.”
What symptoms are clues you may be having issues with gut health?
“Abdominal pain, nausea, feeling full quickly—or not full enough when you should, irregularity or difficulty with bowel habits, feeling weak, fatigued, or dragging,” Dr. Sachs lists. “If your gut health is off, your whole body can be affected.”
How can you improve your gut health?
Dr. Sachs’ advice is straightforward: “Eat healthy, eat balanced, eat right. Keep your vitamin levels where they should be,” he says. “Smoking, lack of exercise, and stress can all affect gut health. In general these things are all a lot easier said than done.”
What’s the future of gut health research?
“We’re learning even more about the role gut health plays in things like your risk for heart disease, or even trouble gaining or losing weight,” says Dr. Sachs. “Your gut health has many ramifications on the body as a whole.”
Aaron Sachs, MD, director, UPMC Comprehensive Reflux Program for UPMC in Central Pa. | Leader Surgical Associates—UPMC York | 1703 Innovation Dr., Ste. 3136 | York, PA 17408 | 717-741-3449
