Hippocrates, the father of medicine, made the statement that “All disease begins in the gut,” and researchers are finally beginning to understand what he meant. If you put all of the bacteria in your body on a scale, it would weigh almost six pounds. These single cell organisms can be found throughout the body, but they are especially important in the gut. Gut bacteria helps you digest food, create vitamins, communicate with the immune system, and make molecules that affect brain function. When the gut isn’t healthy, the entire system breaks down. Vitamins are produced in lesser quantities, inflammation can occur, and the brain doesn’t function as well as it should. Research on gut health and disease is ongoing, and many studies are starting to suggest that an unhealthy gut might be the cause of mood disorders, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, cognitive impairment, diabetes, and even cancer. The healthier the gut is, the healthier (and happier) the person.

by Karyn Bender | Mar 4, 2016 | Facebook