Nurturing Your Gut Health with Naturopathic Medicine
Did you know an entire ecosystem is living inside your stomach and intestines? It’s true! Trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, call your body home. Furthermore, this ecosystem plays a tremendous role in your health and wellness–which is why gut health and naturopathic medicine go hand in hand.
Naturopathic medicine is a field of healthcare focused on treating the whole person, not just their symptoms–and that includes their gut microbiome. The naturopathic physician at EleVis Wellness Collective aims to identify the underlying cause of your condition and then provides a holistic treatment that might include exercise, nutritional counseling, functional medicine, and more.
One thing we often consider when examining patients is their gut health, especially their gut microbiome. A healthy gut features a diverse array of microbes, all with their own role in your body’s health and wellness. They help you digest nutrients, keep your immune system working properly, and regulate your metabolism.
While certain aspects of our gut health are outside of your control, there are steps you can take to help your microbial friends flourish. Below are a few simple steps you can take now, but if you’d like to learn more about gut health and naturopathic medicine, request an appointment with us today!
Five All-Natural Ways to Improve Your Gut Health
- Limit ultra-processed foods: Ultra-processed foods refer to items that have significant additives, including sugar, salt, or artificial sweeteners–think deli meats, potato chips, or surgery breakfast cereals.
- Eat a diverse blend of foods: By eating a varied diet, you ensure you’re getting a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients–all of which contribute to the diversity of your microbiome. Try to eat various fruits and vegetables every day, plus whole grains, lean meats, seafood, and unflavored dairy.
- Eat fermented foods: Fermented foods are an example of processed foods that have health benefits. In their case, they’ve had their sugars broken down by yeast and bacteria. Examples include yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
- Go for a walk: Moderate cardiovascular exercise can help boost your gut health, so find something that works for you. Walking is a classic, but cycling, dancing, and swimming are great options, too.
- Manage stress: Evidence suggests that high stress levels can negatively affect your gut microbiome. Find ways to effectively manage your mental health, such as regular exercise, deep breathing exercises, or even just saying no when things get to be too much.
Learn More about the Connection Between Gut Health and Naturopathic Medicine
One thing you don’t need to do when striving to improve your gut health is to consume expensive supplements or take a bunch of medications. Simple, holistic changes like the ones above work best.
If you’d like to know more, the Chicago-based team at EleVis Wellness Collective is here to provide you with personalized guidance about gut health and naturopathic medicine. We know that all our patients are unique, and we’ll help you find the solutions that work for you.
Request your appointment today!