The gut: The underestimated organ for your well-being

We've already discussed in our article "What Your Gut Can Do" that your gut is responsible for more than just digestion. It influences numerous important processes in your body. But what is crucial for keeping our gut – and therefore our overall well-being – in balance?

The internal clock

Admittedly, everyone defines the need for "sufficient sleep" a little differently. However, restful nights and regular sleep are important for your gut in any case. An irregular sleep pattern can put a strain on your gut and affect the balance of your gut microbiome. Conversely, those who pay attention to their gut health can be rewarded with good sleep quality.¹

The connection between gut and skin

It's often forgotten that the skin is our largest organ. The gut is connected to various organs in our body – including the skin via the gut-skin axis. Although the gut and skin aren't in direct contact, studies show that an imbalance in the gut microbiome can be linked to common inflammatory skin diseases. A well-functioning gut can therefore play a role in the appearance of the skin. ^{^2,3}

Stress management

Stress is often unavoidable in our daily lives; we're probably all familiar with it. Stress isn't just unpleasant, but it can demonstrably disrupt your gut microbiome. All the more reason to actively work on our stress management. ⁴

Regular exercise

Anyone who enjoys exercise is surely familiar with the positive feeling associated with their favorite sport. It's only logical that our gut also benefits, because, as mentioned earlier, stress levels can also affect your gut. But it gets even better: regular exercise can specifically and positively influence your gut microbiome. It doesn't always have to be a strenuous workout, ^though – even everyday movement (like walking, relaxed cycling, etc.) supports your bowel function.

Sources:

¹ Han M., Yuan S., Zhang J. (2022): The interplay between sleep and gut microbiota, Brain Research Bulletin, Volume 180, Pages 131-146.

² Sinha S., Lin G., Ferenczi K. (2021): The skin microbiome and the gut-skin axis, Clinics in Dermatology, Volume 39, Issue 5, Pages 829-839.

³ Maguire, M., Maguire, G. (2017): The role of microbiota, and probiotics and prebiotics in skin health. Arch Dermatol Res 309, Pages 411–421.

⁴ Molina-Torres, G., Rodriguez-Arrastia, M., Roman, P,, Sanchez-Labraca, N., Cardona, D. (2019): Stress and the gut microbiota-brain axis. Behavioral Pharmacology 30 (2 and 3). Pages 187-200.

⁵ Mailing L, Allen J, Buford T, Fields C, Woods J (2019): Exercise and the Gut Microbiome: A Review of the Evidence, Potential Mechanisms, and Implications for Human Health. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. Apr, 47(2), Pages 75-85