HEALTH
ARTICLE
Gut Check [OR] Digestion
and Disease
Why Gut Health Matters
By Shelly Malone
The following is an adaption of INFLAMED: Discover the root cause of
inflammation and personalize a step-by-step plan to create a healthy,
vibrant life [www.inflamedbook.com] by Shelly Malone, MPH, RDN
O
ur digestive system is the
foundation for wellness and
immunity, having the highest concentration of immune
cells in our entire body. It was
Hippocrates who first said,
“all disease begins in the gut.”
And though this wise, founding father of medicine
first realized this over 2,000 years ago, most people seem to be surprised to know that a digestion
(or “gut”) issue could be the culprit for a variety of
symptoms outside of the expected gas, bloating
and poop issues.
If your gut health isn’t on point, your overall health
won’t be either. Getting off course compromises
your immunity (e.g. inappropriate inflammatory responses), detoxification process (your ability
to deal with toxins in the environment), nutrient
status, and neurotransmitter balance. In fact, the
health of your gut even plays a role in determining
how your genetic dispositions will manifest.
Conditions Associated with
Impaired Gut Health
All Autoimmune Disease (rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, fibro-
23 | New Consciousness Review