What you need to know about gut health

YOUR gut contains 70–80% of your immune cells.

This emphasises how closely linked gut health and the immune system are, and how out of balance the body is when fighting infection.

How gut health works

The gut microbiome is the foundation of health, where the body gets rid of waste and toxins. However, if the gut is unhealthy, the body will struggle and toxins will build up, which can have harmful and long-term effects.

“An unhealthy gut can cause health issues such as chronic fatigue, chronic illnesses and inflammation,” said Willco Janse van Vuuren, managing director of Releaf Pharmaceuticals. What can affect gut health The most common factors that contribute to poor gut health are stress, poor nutrition and long-term use of antibiotics and antacids.

Keeping your gut happy and healthy

Certain foods and a healthy lifestyle can improve gut health. Dieticians recommend the following:

Eat fruit and vegetables

Leafy greens and fresh fruits are the best sources of nutrients for a healthy microbiome.

Eat prebiotic foods

Prebiotic foods can include onion, ginger and garlic.

Stay hydrated

Water has several health benefits – it supports skin health and helps with brain function.