Gut Health and Bone Density

Really? Gut health can affect our bones? How?

In order to build bones and keep them strong, you need to be abosrbing the nutrients from your food. You may be eating foods that contain the nutrients needed and/or taking supplements that would make your bones stronger however, if your gut is not workking optimally, you will not be absorbing all the nutrients you are taking in. Many factors influence whether you are absorbing your nutrients properly.

• Stress -If you are chronicly stressed or in a state of fight or flight for an extended period of time, your parasympathetic system does not turn on to allow you to digest. Without rest and relaxation in your daily life, your body doesn't go into a calm state to properly use the nutrients you are putting in. You can provide all the nutrients such as whole grains, fruits, legumes, dark green vegetables, and salmonbut there is no guarantee they will be used unles there are proper conditions within the body to utilize these.

• Leaky gut - Intestinal permiability occurs for many of us due to our diets being full of sugar and processed foods. The barrier in our intestines which keeps food inside becomes impaired and particles escape into the blood stream causing inflamation. In this state, our nutrients cannot be fully digested and absorbed properly.

• Food sensitivities- Foods that produce gas and bloating in our bodies allow us to question whether these foods are being digested properly. If gas and bloating occur, you are essentially having a chemical reaction to your food. This will in turn tell your body something foreign is invading and your body will create an immune response and create inflamation. Again, our bodies won't be able to utilize the nutrients from the food.

• Microbiome inbalance- We have a delicate balance of good and bad bacterias in our stomach. When that balance is disrupted due to eating processed foods, eating sugars, eating foods we are sensitive to, and the stress response, we cannot use our nutrients.

• Mineral absorption- Many individuals are mineral deficient due to the standard american diet. Optimal levels of magnesium, sodium, and potassium are essential for absorbtion of nutrients. Supplementing with magnesium, and adding lemon with celtic or pink himalayan sea salt to your water can help immensely.

Our gut plays a role in most of our bodies functions. From brain function, to immune fuction, to bone density, we owe it all to the gut. This is why it is so important to take steps to improve your gut health today!