Nerd Alert: Gut Check

Hello Beauties,

Your gut. Let’s be honest… it may not be the most romantic of bodily systems, but it’s definitely one of the most important. It was once thought your gut just had the simple job of digesting food (Ummm… have you seen what people eat?), but now science has discovered muuuuuch more. And, its role goes leaps and bounds beyond merely breaking down food.

Your gut is a 30-foot long second brain.

Ever wonder why you get a “gut feeling”, or they say intuition starts in your gut? That’s because your gut is more like a brain than your brain is. Your gut contains its very own intricate nervous system loaded with neurons. It actually sends more information to your brain than your brain sends to it. And, as if that’s not cool enough, our brains interpret these signals from the gut as emotions. Actual gut feelings. Mind blown? Yup.

[FUN FACT: Your gut contains 95% of your body’s feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin.]

Your hormones start and stop in your gut.

We are always talkin’ about our hormones. It’s PMS this, and low T that. But, did you know your gut plays a significant role in hormone balance? For example, the bacteria in your gut (TRILLIONS of them!) are major regulators of estrogen. If these microbes are not balanced and healthy, estrogen will increase in your body, and say hello to menstrual problems, increased symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis, tanking testosterone, moodiness and weight gain.

Your immune system’s in da house.

Your gut, which has the surface area of a studio apartment, is the primary home for your immune system… about 70% of it, actually. Trust me, if you’re living in a studio, this is the definitely the roommate you want. These immune cells form your gut associated lymphoid tissue or GALT. Your GALT protects you by fighting off unfriendly bacteria, viruses, and burglars. (Just kidding about the burglars.)

Oh, yeah. And, it also digests food.

Here are my top three tips to promote gut health:

Eat mostly clean, healthy, fiber-filled organic foods including gut-supporting super-foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, blueberries, garlic, ginger and collagen. (White Tea Ginger SkinTē has both collagen AND real ginger!)
Avoid inflammatory foods such as gluten, dairy, corn, sugar, nightshades, and alcohol.
Make like a train and chew, chew. Chewing starts the digestive process right in your mouth, plus it signals to the rest of the gut to get ready for what’s coming down the pipe.

I’d love to hear from you with any questions or feedback you have about SkinTē, and how it’s making you feel. You can contact me anytime at amy.bader@skinte.com. I’m here for you.