It's not something people talk about often, and for most, it's a sensitive, shame-filled topic: gut health. But we think that's completely unfair – because our overall well-being is strongly dependent on our gut health. That's why we want to approach the whole thing with a bit of humor, because humor can never hurt! :)
We'll uncover the biggest myths about gut health for you.
Myth No. 1: Only older people need to take care of their gut health.
No. In our view, this is probably the most painful, but also the most widespread myth. What's behind it?
The myth that only older people should actively care for their bowel health likely stems from the fact that most cases of colorectal cancer occur later in life. For this reason, in Germany, men and women aged 50 and over are advised to undergo regular colonoscopies as part of the statutory early detection program. It is rare to hear of significantly younger individuals being affected.
However, a 2017 study (published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute) showed that those born after 1990 have almost twice the risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to their parents. The study cannot explain the exact reasons, but known risk factors for colorectal cancer include... u.a. a low-fiber diet (and therefore too little food for the probiotic bacterial cultures (in our gut), frequent consumption of processed red meat, high alcohol consumption, and smoking. But we lay the foundations for a healthy, happy, and long life in our younger years, so gut health definitely deserves our attention earlier on.
Myth No. 2: The intestine is just the human body's drainpipe.
Absolutely wrong. Quite the contrary: the gut is the engine of our lives. Divided into the large and small intestines, it's not only responsible for digestion, but also houses around 70% of the body's immune cells. This alone shows that the gut is anything but a drainpipe. Furthermore, the so-called gut-brain axis is being studied more and more, and new connections are constantly being discovered. In addition, our gut teems with trillions of microorganisms, i.e., living strains of bacteria, which together form our gut flora. The gut has absolutely nothing in common with a drainpipe.
Myth No. 3: I cannot influence my gut flora.
False. The gut flora is one of the health levers we can influence and manipulate most effectively, directly, and easily. Even the sufficient presence of certain bacterial strains in our gut flora can bring significant health benefits. And we can clearly influence this ourselves through proper nutrition and probiotic intake. For example, the bacterial family of... Bifidobacterium longum Known for counteracting inflammation, constipation, and celiac disease, these bacteria strains offer a good chance of many positive effects if you consume a sufficient amount. So, the next time you hear someone say we have no control over our gut flora, hopefully you'll know what to say to them ;)
So how does my gut flora contribute to my gut health?
The microorganisms living in the intestinal flora primarily ensure in the large intestine that essential vitamins and messenger substances are produced, nutrients are utilized, and the mucous membranes are protected.The composition of your gut flora – especially the diversity and number of colony-forming units (so-called CFUs) – is incredibly important, as the gut flora has such a direct impact on your health.
Myth No. 4: Stress cannot affect the gut.
That's also wrong. Perceived mental and physical stress negatively impacts pretty much all of the human biological processes developed by Mother Nature. Yes, if you pause for a moment and reflect on how much stress you've experienced in the last 12 months, it's perfectly acceptable to be alarmed. Since the gut is closely connected to the psyche, stressful situations can affect the microbiome and bowel function. Anyone who pays close attention to their body may have already experienced this: during stressful times, you might go to the toilet less often, or unpleasant symptoms might appear (diarrhea, bloating, etc.). And let's not even get started on the impact on mood. To lead a healthy and (what we consider almost more important) happy life, it's just as crucial to relax regularly and thus not interfere with the wonderful processes in your body. These all function best when we're happy.
That's also wrong. Perceived mental and physical stress negatively impacts pretty much all of Mother Nature's wonderfully designed human biological processes. Yes, if you pause for a moment and reflect on how much stress you've experienced in the last 12 months, it's perfectly acceptable to be alarmed. Since the gut is closely linked to the psyche, stressful situations can affect the microbiome and bowel function. Those who pay close attention to their bodies may have already experienced this problem: during stressful times, you might go to the toilet less often, or unpleasant symptoms might appear (diarrhea, bloating, etc.). And let's not even get started on mood. To lead a healthy and (what we consider almost more important) happy life, it's just as crucial to relax regularly and thus not interfere with the wonderful processes in your body. These all function best when we are happy.
