How Your Digestive System Affects Whole-Body Health
Every day, your digestive system works tirelessly to break down your food, absorb essential nutrients, and eliminate waste. But its role goes far beyond that – it's intricately connected to nearly every aspect of your health.
A compromised digestive system can send ripple effects throughout your body and cause symptoms that seem unrelated. Often referred to as the "second brain," your gut plays a vital role in regulating your immune system [1], mood [2], and even the appearance of your skin [3].
This article will explore the healing mechanisms within your digestive system, the profound connection between gut and whole-body health, and how you can take steps toward healing naturally.
Understanding the Digestive System
Your digestive system includes your mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, intestines, anus, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. When you eat, these organs immediately break down food into essential nutrients. Your bloodstream absorbs the nutrients and delivers them to cells throughout your body for energy production.
Within your digestive system lies your gastrointestinal system – more commonly referred to as the "gut" – consisting of the hollow digestive organs (mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, intestines, anus). Home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the microbiome, it plays a vital role in regulating your immune system, mental health, hormone production, and more [2].
One of your gut's most crucial responsibilities is to protect your blood from harmful substances. The lining of your gut is designed to pass beneficial nutrients through to your bloodstream while blocking toxins, pathogens, and undigested food particles. Your body sends these harmful substances through the digestive system, and you eliminate them as waste [4].
Heavy metals in water, pesticides in food, mycotoxins (mold), and certain food additives, can damage the gut lining and lead to a condition known as "leaky gut syndrome." Harmful substances may begin to enter the bloodstream instead of passing through the digestive system [5].
How Digestive Issues Affect Whole-Body Health
When you think about "digestive issues," you might think of bloating, gas, or heartburn. Although these are some of the most common symptoms, they are usually signs of more serious health complications [6].
Nutrition
A compromised gut can result in poor nutrient absorption, which means the body isn't getting the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to function optimally. This can lead to deficiencies that impact everything from energy levels to immune function. Without proper nutrition, the body's natural healing processes slow down, leaving you more susceptible to illness, fatigue, and chronic conditions.
Inflammation Response
Another significant way digestive issues affect whole-body health is through chronic inflammation. Conditions like leaky gut allow toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, which triggers an inflammatory response. This results in chronic, low-grade inflammation that can contribute to various health problems, such as joint pain, autoimmune conditions, skin problems like eczema or acne, and even heart disease [7, 8].
Immune Response
The gut also plays a central role in regulating the immune system. With approximately 70% of immune cells residing here, your gut is constantly working to defend your body from infections while promoting a balanced immune response [1].
Mental Health
Your gut impacts your mental and emotional well-being, too. There is a "gut-brain axis," in which the digestive system communicates with the brain via hormones, neurotransmitters, and the vagus nerve. When your gut is balanced, you might experience better mood, reduced anxiety, improved focus, and mental clarity. When your gut is inflamed or imbalanced, it can lead to mood disorders, anxiety, and mental fog, making it harder to think clearly or manage stress [2].
Hormones
An imbalanced gut microbiome can disrupt hormones that regulate metabolism, sleep, appetite, and stress responses. Gut imbalances have been linked to insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), and type I diabetes [9].
Hormones like cortisol, released in response to stress, are also affected by gut health. Chronic gut issues can contribute to elevated cortisol levels and exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, fatigue, and weight retention [10].
Healing Your Digestive System Naturally
If you've been struggling with digestive issues, it might seem impossible to feel comfortable and energized after meals without the bloating, discomfort, or unpredictable symptoms. You can address digestive concerns by following the Foundations of Self-Healing – Cleanse, Revive, Balance.
Cleanse
Toxins from processed foods, environmental pollutants, and medications can disrupt gut balance and hinder proper digestion [5]. Cleansing helps clear out these accumulated toxins along with impacted waste and bacteria that can affect digestive health.
Eat a fiber-rich diet and drink plenty of water to encourage toxin elimination through urine and stool. Oxygen-based colon cleansers can help loosen impacted waste and purify the digestive tract.
Revive
Pre and probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt, onion, asparagus, gals, and artichokes, can help repair the gut lining and support the growth of beneficial bacteria [11]. Pre and probiotic supplements can help fill any missing gaps in your diet.
Balance
High cortisol from stress is one of the most damaging factors to gut health [10]. Incorporate relaxation techniques, like meditation, deep breathing, and spending time outdoors, into your daily routine. Getting enough sleep (7-8 hours per night) can also give your body enough time to repair itself and help you avoid the stress of exhaustion.
Using the Foundations of Self-Healing as a guide can help you reset your digestive system and reactivate its natural healing properties.
You Have the Power to Heal
Your body is designed for wellness. With the right knowledge and consistent effort, you can reclaim your health and turn your digestive system into a self-healing machine.
Your Body Is the Medicine is a Global Healing series that dives into eight self-healing systems, how they work, and what you can do to reignite your innate healing abilities.
In part four of the series, we dive into immune response and how it plays a key role in your body's overall healing journey.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
References (11)
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- Xiong, R.-G., Li, J., Cheng, J., Zhou, D.-D., Wu, S.-X., Huang, S.-Y., Saimaiti, A., Yang, Z.-J., Gan, R.-Y., & Li, H.-B. (2023). The Role of Gut Microbiota in Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Disorders as Well as the Protective Effects of Dietary Components. Nutrients, 15(14), 3258. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15143258
- De Pessemier, B., Grine, L., Debaere, M., Maes, A., Paetzold, B., & Callewaert, C. (2021). Gut–Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions. Microorganisms, 9(2).
- Assimakopoulos, S. F., Triantos, C., Maroulis, I., & Gogos, C. (2018). The Role of the Gut Barrier Function in Health and Disease. Gastroenterology Research, 11(4), 261–263. https://doi.org/10.14740/gr1053w
- Ghosh, S., Nukavarapu, S. P., & Venkatakrishna Rao Jala. (2023). Effect of heavy metals on gut barrier integrity and gut microbiota. Microbiota and Host, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1530/mah-23-0015
- Jabłońska, B., & Mrowiec, S. (2023). Gastrointestinal Disease: New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches. Biomedicines, 11(5), 1420–1420. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11051420
- Pickett, K., Loveman, E., Kalita, N., Frampton, G. K., & Jones, J. (2015). Background. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. NIHR Journals Library. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK321885/
- Pahwa, R., Goyal, A., Bansal, P., & Jialal, I. (2021). Chronic Inflammation. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/
- He, S., Li, H., Yu, Z., Zhang, F., Liang, S., Liu, H., Chen, H., & Lü, M. (2021). The Gut Microbiome and Sex Hormone-Related Diseases. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.711137
- Madison, A., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2019). Stress, depression, diet, and the gut microbiota: human–bacteria interactions at the core of psychoneuroimmunology and nutrition. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 28(3), 105–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2019.01.011
- Ballini, A., Charitos, I. A., Cantore, S., Topi, S., Bottalico, L., & Santacroce, L. (2023). About Functional Foods: The Probiotics and Prebiotics State of Art. Antibiotics, 12(4), 635. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12040635
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Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
