Why it’s important to trust your gut
Have you ever felt slightly agitated, short-tempered, anxious, moody – or otherwise not yourself – then realised that what you really needed was to go to the toilet? You’re not silly. Our gut health isn’t only about needing “to go”. The health of our gut microbiome (the trillions of healthy microorganisms responsible for healthy gut function) can also have a significant impact on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.^
How do I know if my gut health is ok?
It’s usually clear when our gut microbiome is in order. When it’s all ship-shape, we don’t really think about our bums and tums at all. However, once we start to feel bloated, constipated, have diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea – or perhaps are passing wind or burping excessively – it’s important to consider why.
What are some tips for better gut health?
1. Healthy, varied eating
Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, beans, legumes and whole grains. This helps give plenty of fibre (or prebiotics) for healthy gut function.
2. Fermented foods
Include these in your diet too. They’re not only delicious, but full of probiotics, which provide beneficial bacteria. Try Greek yogurt, miso, sourdough, kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut.
3. Lifestyle
Don’t overuse antibiotics (these can also kill the good bacteria we need!). Get plenty of exercise, sleep well and take steps to lower your everyday stress levels.
4. Probiotic supplements
These may be beneficial to people whose microbiome needs an extra boost, due to illness, medications or other factors. Ask your Pharmacist if these are right for you.
Hani Fanous
TerryWhite Chemmart Pharmacist
Tolland, NSW
Trust your gut
Some signs of bowel cancer can resemble the symptoms of harmless abdominal issues (such as intestinal worms or medication-induced constipation). Sadly, because of this, fewer than 40% of bowel cancers are detected at an early stage.2 The good news is that up to 99% of bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated when detected early.1
Learn to listen to your body so you can identify what is normal and not. If you are experiencing symptoms which are not typical for you, speak to your Pharmacist. They may suggest taking a bowel cancer screener (which is free and easy to do at home for eligible Australians over 453) or talking with your GP.
See here for more on the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.
General advice only – this information should not replace the information provided to you by your health care professional. If symptoms are severe or persist, please speak to your health care professional. Information current as of date of publishing.
Sources:
^ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gut-health
1 https://jodileefoundation.org.au/symptoms/
2 https://jodileefoundation.org.au/bowel-cancer-facts/
3 https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-bowel-cancer-screening-program/about-the-national-bowel-cancer-screening-program
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