Gut Health Part I: The Root of our Health & Wholeness

Apr 11

“It is not the soul alone that should be healthy; if the mind is healthy in a healthy body, all will be healthy and much better prepared to give God greater service.” When Saint Ignatius of Loyola said this, he recognized that a healthy, whole body allows us to receive more fully from the Lord and give Him our complete “yes” each and every day. With this in mind, let us consider one of the most important parts of maintaining physical health - a healthy gut.

A healthy, whole, and fully alive gut is the foundation of a healthy, whole, and fully alive body. The gut is involved in cognitive function, mood regulation, digestion, nutrient absorption, detoxification, immune function, inflammation, and much more. It is often the root of dis-ease in the body and one of our first priorities when healing.

Essential Functions of the Gut

The gut is the foundation of our mental and physical health. We often refer to the gut as our second brain because of its connection and communication with our actual brain. Specific hormones and neurotransmitters are housed in and produced by the gut. These ultimately impact our emotional state, how well we handle stress, and our body’s ability to digest and absorb key nutrients.

The process of digestion begins in the brain. From the moment we see, smell, or think about food our brain lets our gut and the rest of our body know that nutrients are on their way. The body enters the parasympathetic state, becoming naturally relaxed and open to receiving nourishment. Through proper chewing and swallowing, food passes through our mouth into our stomach and small intestine, where it is broken down and absorbed with the help of accessory organs. Any leftover waste products and toxins move into the large intestine, which is the part of our gut responsible for detoxification and elimination. It is here in the large intestine, where a large majority of microorganisms that support the digestive process are housed. We call this population of bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses the microbiome.

The microbiome is home to both good and harmful microorganisms. A healthy, well-nourished microbiome helps effectively digest food, fight off infection, and produce essential vitamins and enzymes. Maintaining a healthy balance of these microbes is essential for optimizing a healthy digestive system.

What’s Your Gut Feeling?

How do you know if your gut is healthy? Let’s imagine your health as a tree. The symptoms you experience are the branches and leaves we see above ground. They give us only a small glimpse into the whole state of your health. Like a tree, which has no separation between its roots and its branches, there is no separation between our root causes and our symptoms. The symptoms are not the problem, they are the result of the problem.

There are a variety of symptoms associated with gut dysfunction. We invite you to take notice of how your body is feeling at this moment. Below are some examples of leaves and branches (symptoms) that point to a deeper root issue in your gut.

Gas
Bloating
Abdominal pain
Anxiety
Depression
Fatigue
Weight gain
Brain Fog
Food sensitivities
Abnormal bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea, loose stools)
Acne
Nausea
Weight gain
Dizziness
Headaches
Irritability
Acid reflux/heartburn
Mood swings
Fluid retention/swelling

If any of these symptoms are familiar, we invite you to reflect on what your body may be communicating to you. What is happening below the surface of your symptoms?

It may be helpful to look at your health as a bank account. You can both make deposits and withdrawals from your health account. Deposits are positive additions to your day that encourage wholeness and holiness. Examples include whole-food nutrition, adequate sleep, time spent in prayer, and connection to an uplifting community. Withdrawals are anything that detract from your health. Withdrawals may include lack of proper rest, excessive social media consumption, or a diet high in processed foods.

Our goal is to stay within our budget and invest in more deposits than withdrawals. We encourage you to release any withdrawals that do not support your gut and, thus, your overall health. We can cultivate awareness on a daily and weekly basis by checking in with both our body and soul and discerning what we can afford.

If you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, it is essential that you tend to your gut.

5 Causes of an Unbalanced Gut

Compromised gut function and imbalances within the microbiome can contribute to infection, inflammation, and immune dysfunction. In order to be well, we must dig to the root of what is causing dis-ease. Below are five reasons our gut may become compromised and dysregulated.

Stress

Stress is the most significant contributor to dis-ease in the body. It compromises digestion, increases inflammation, and disrupts proper immune function within the gut. In a culture that glorifies productivity, instant gratification, and busyness, we easily become distracted, exhausted, and burned out.

Inadequate Nutrition

Processed and inflammatory foods such as gluten, alcohol, and sugar directly contribute to imbalances of the microbiome and inflammation within the gut. Nourishing the body with real, whole foods is essential in creating an environment that is conducive to optimal digestion.

Medications

Medications such as antibiotics, antacids, pain relievers, and hormonal birth control can negatively impact the gut. They can alter the microbiome and decrease the body’s beneficial bacteria, cause damage to the lining of the stomach and intestines, an inhibit the normal motility of the digestive system.

Alcohol

Excessive consumption of alcohol is known to damage vital organs that aid our gut in functioning well, contributes to gut inflammation, and contributes to the overgrowth of yeast and bacteria.

Toxins

Environmental toxins and chemical exposures such as mold, air pollution, and endocrine disruptors can add additional stress to the gut’s ability to properly process and detox unwanted toxins. These can cause stimulation of the immune system that over time can compromise the gut lining and contribute to chronic inflammation.

Reforming and Restoring Our Gut Health

The key to a whole, well-functioning body, mind, and soul starts with a whole, well-functioning gut. Preparing the way for optimal gut health is essential to our healing. Reflecting on how our gut functions and the causes of gut dysregulation allows us the opportunity to dig to the root of our symptoms.

The Lord is the Divine Gardener, a master at cultivating life in creation and in us. Jesus came so that we might have life and have it to the full (John 10:10). We are invited to do our part to prepare a good foundation for the healing He wants to give us. When it comes to our physical health, it all starts with the gut.