Your microbiome might be the real MVP of your health.

Your gut is deeply connected to your immune system, brain, metabolism, and overall well-being. In fact, many health experts now refer to the gut as the body’s “second brain.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, this is because, “With more than 500 million neurons, it’s the most complex neural network outside of your brain. It’s also unique in that it can operate somewhat independently from your brain and central nervous system.”1

While it might feel a little more manageable to assume that each of your biological systems stays in its own lane, that’s simply not the case. 

Particularly when it comes to your gut health.

As it turns out, your GI system has far more to do with your overall health than you may have ever considered. We often think of the gut as just our stomach or digestive tract, that rumbly place where food is processed and nutrients are absorbed. But there’s far more going on and the latest research is shedding new light on the old tummy and all of the systems it impacts. As Dr. Justin Sonnenburg, microbiologist at Stanford University, says, “We are learning that gut health affects almost every system in the body — from the immune response to cognitive function.”2

🧠The Gut/Body/Mind Connection

Inside your digestive tract live trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses known as the gut microbiome. 

📚DEFINITION: The gut microbiome is the community of trillions of tiny organisms—like bacteria, viruses, and fungi—that live in your digestive tract. 

The biome is responsible for breaking down food and extracting nutrients but it also regulates inflammation and produces important neurotransmitters like serotonin, which affects mood and sleep. Gut issues can be linked to mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, because it’s not just in your head. It’s in your gut as well.  “Over 90% of the body’s serotonin is actually produced in the gut,” says Dr. Emeran Mayer, author of The Mind-Gut Connection and professor at UCLA.3 When your serotonin levels are off, so is your mood. 

🍎Immunity Begins in the Gut

70% of your immune system is housed in your gut lining.4 Sure, get your vitamin C and throw back that ginger immunity shot. But keep in mind that how you treat your GI system in the day- to-day, over time, is where the strongest immune system is built. A balanced microbiome helps regulate immune responses and fight off harmful invaders, from viruses to chronic inflammation.

Gut diversity, which is the variety of microbes in your gut, is one of the strongest indicators of long-term health. The lower the diversity of microbes, the higher your risk of autoimmune disorders, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.5 There is also a growing body of research finding a connection between Alzheimer’s disease and gut issues.6

🤢Modern Tummy Trouble

40% of Americans report that their GI system is giving them trouble on the daily.7 Today’s lifestyle can be rough on the gut. Processed foods, stress, overuse of antibiotics, and lack of fiber all contribute to what is known as dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of gut bacteria.8 That imbalance can lead to bloating, fatigue, skin problems, poor digestion, and much more. 

🥳Happy Gut, Happy Health

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight, but these daily habits can make a big difference:

  • Eat more fiber. Aim for 25–30 grams per day from veggies, fruit, legumes, whole grains, and yes, popcorn!9 🥗🍿
  • Limit added sugars and ultra-processed foods. Bad bacteria love sweets and unhealthy snacks. It’s sad but true.Because these types of food can feed the wrong bacteria and cause a host of issues, keep your consumption in check.
  • Include fermented foods. Yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha support good bacteria. And no, this doesn’t mean alcoholic drinks. Fermented foods help boost your good bacteria in the gut.10
  • Get outside and move. Your gut needs physical activity to support its microbiome diversity. Take that walk after dinner and your tummy will thank you. 🚶
  • Manage stress. Chronic stress disrupts gut balance. Talk with your counselor, dedicate some time each day in prayer, work through a journaling process like JournalSpeak from therapist Nicole Sachs as tools for working through your emotional and physical health.

 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

 

Final Thoughts for Our Healthy Community

Whether you’re managing chronic conditions, recovering from illness, or simply trying to feel better day to day, your gut is a powerful place to begin. Supporting your microbiome isn’t a trend; it’s a long-term investment in your immune strength, mental clarity, and total health.

If you’re a Member of Altrua HealthShare, contact Member Services at 1-888-244-3839 for an affordable and simple option to see how your gut is doing. If you’re not yet a Member of Altrua HealthShare and you’d like more information about our customizable membership, built just for you, check out our 30-day trial experience with our MyShare membership. And as always, talk to your trusted healthcare provider about what’s right for you, especially if you’re considering a major diet change or adding probiotics.

1 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/the-gut-brain-connection#:~:text=With%20more%20than%20500%20million,as%20a%20%E2%80%9Csecond%20brain%E2%80%9D.
2 Sonnenburg, J., & Sonnenburg, E. (2015). The Good Gut: Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood, and Your Long-Term Health. Penguin.
3 Mayer, Emeran. The Mind-Gut Connection. Harper Wave, 2016.
4 Belkaid, Y., & Hand, T. (2014). “Role of the microbiota in immunity and inflammation.” Cell, 157(1), 121–141.
5 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/the-gut-brain-connection#:~:text=With%20more%20than%20500%20million,as%20a%20%E2%80%9Csecond%20brain%E2%80%9D.
6 Sonnenburg, J., & Sonnenburg, E. (2015). The Good Gut: Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood, and Your Long-Term Health. Penguin.
7 https://gastro.org/press-releases/new-survey-finds-forty-percent-of-americans-daily-lives-are-disrupted-by-digestive-troubles/
8 Conlon, M. A., & Bird, A. R. (2015). “The impact of diet and lifestyle on gut microbiota and human health.” Nutrients, 7(1), 17–44.
9 Slavin, J. L. (2013). “Fiber and prebiotics: Mechanisms and health benefits.” Nutrients, 5(4), 1417–1435.
10 https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/fermented-foods-can-add-depth-to-your-diet