Is the current Gut health trend hype or helpful?
In recent years, the gut health trend has taken us by storm, with a plethora of products and practices claiming to improve the wellbeing of your digestive system. From supplements and gut shots, fermented foods to extreme gut cleanses, the food industry and wellness market is flooded with promises of a healthier gut.
Amidst this sea of information, it may be helpful to discern what’s backed by solid scientific evidence, and what’s simply another ‘health halo’ ie. the labelling or marketing that gives the perception something is good for you, even when there is little or no evidence to support this claim.
With both a professional and personal interest in this topic, in this blog I explore the current state of gut health research, try to separate fact from fiction, and provide some practical advice for those with gut-related health concerns.
The Infancy of Gut Health Research
One of the primary challenges in navigating the gut health landscape is the relatively early stage of scientific understanding in the whole field.
The human gut is an incredibly complex ecosystem with trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, collectively known as the gut microbiota. Whilst hugely exciting developments are taking place, research into the intricacies of this microbiota and its impact on overall health is still in relative infancy.
WHERE HAS THE current ‘HYPE’ COME FROM?
The noise around gut health, and the gut microbiota, that we are seeing today has multiple origins, and is influenced by a whole combination of factors.
This includes: research funding pathways and research methods, and how these may influence findings and the reporting of findings; the interests of universities and research institutions and their press centres; wider media interpretation and coverage; product manufacturers’ marketing and promotional efforts; health, wellness and science influencers; and the growing public interest in wellness and preventive healthcare in general.
Modern NUTRITIONAL THERAPY & ancient wisdom
Whilst terms like gut health have only become common place in the past couple of years, nutrition practitioners have been emphasising the importance of gut health for decades, and their recommendations often predate the recent surge in scientific research on the gut microbiota.
While early practices were not explicitly based on the more detailed (but evolving) understanding of the gut microbiota we have today, they were rooted in a broader scientific understanding and appreciation for the role of nutrition in supporting health, and particularly the role of fibre in support digestive health and gut function.
Rewind the clocks further still, and it’s also relevant to acknowledge that many traditional cultures have long recognised the significance of fermented foods in promoting digestive health. For example, cultures with a history of consuming fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt were intuitively incorporating beneficial bacteria into their diets.
Personally, I believe that the integration of both traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge are both relevant contributors to our understanding of gut health and its impact on overall wellbeing. And, as scientific research on the gut microbiome has advanced, it has provided a more nuanced and evidence-based foundation for the principles that some have been promoting for decades.
This of course raises a couple more interesting discussion points. It can sometimes take considerable time for research to catch-up. And, not everything that is beneficial for us has a tonne of research or a substantial, formal evidence base behind it. But, at an individual level, if it improves our lives, or helps us feel better, then does that actually matter?…
curiosity and intuItion
So, how do we know what's actually important and ‘true’ in the gut health world, when the research is still evolving?
While there is a genuine and growing scientific basis for the importance of gut health at large, when it comes to media stories, or the marketing claims around individual products and practices, it would be prudent to approach things with a little caution.
If you’re considering making a considerable investment in something, my guidance is to watch out for overstated or unsubstantiated claims. If you are feeling unsure, try to consult a range of sources for opinion. But if intuitively something feels a bit ‘off’, it probably is!
What's Known to be Important About Gut Health
Despite the ongoing research, you may be pleased to hear some aspects of gut health are relatively well-established.
The gut microbiota is known to play a significant role in nutrient absorption, immune function, and mental wellbeing. Imbalances in the gut microbiota have been associated with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Maintaining a diverse and balanced gut microbiota seems to be key. A substantial amount of research suggests this can be achieved through a diet rich in diverse plant-based foods and fibre, and fermented foods such as yogurt and sauerkraut, which are naturally rich in probiotics, the live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed.
Probiotic supplements are also known to help with certain gut-health related concerns. However, when it comes to specific product recommendations, seeking advice from a nutrition professional who is doing their best to keep abreast of the developments in the probiotic market may give you your best chance of a positive experience.
In terms of broader lifestyle considerations, physical activity has been linked to a healthier gut microbiota, and poor sleep may negatively impact the gut microbiota.
SUPPORTING DIGESTIVE DISORDERS & Gut-Related Health Concerns
If you're experiencing severe or sudden digestive symptoms, it is essential to consult with a medical professional. Self-diagnosing and self-prescribing can lead to unintended consequences.
If you still have unresolved or chronic symptoms, or are looking for ways to support a pre-diagnosed gut-related health concern, a Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioner can assess your situation, advise on relevant tests, help you build understanding of your symptoms, and provide meaningful, manageable nutrition and lifestyle guidance based on your individual health needs.
MY CONCLUSIONS
While the gut health trend is exciting and has gained significant attention, it is essential to approach what you see in the media, and on the shelves, with a balanced perspective. Scientific understanding is evolving, and while some principles are well-established, others require further investigation.
If you are simply looking to support your overall gut health, then my guidance is first to consider the evidence-based basics I’ve described above as a first port of call, before experimenting with trending products and practices. Your own judgement and intuition will also serve you well.
If you are struggling with gut-related health concerns and challenging symptoms, seeking guidance from a healthcare professional is the recommended course of action.
As a trained nutrition practitioner providing support services to people with gut-health symptoms and concerns myself, the topic of this blog is of course relevant to my own practice.
Nutritional therapy is an evidence-informed, whole-body approach to nutrition and lifestyle medicine. With more than a decade’s experience in the field, I have total confidence in my professional practice, and that I can make a difference to the health and wellbeing of the majority of clients I see.
However, I choose transparency when it comes to explaining the potential benefits and weaknesses of any approaches I use, and I choose to make those considering working together aware that all nutritional support is, in reality, both an art and a science.
Next steps
If I can be of any support or guidance on your own gut-health journey please check out my Rebalance programme, or contact me with your questions.
