A healthy gut – home to helpful bacteria and immune cells in your body – is a powerhouse that not only wards off harmful bacteria and viruses but also contributes to good overall health. The microbiome exists in a delicate balance, and, aside from diet, other factors like stress, lack of sleep and dehydration can wreak havoc on a person’s gut.
To improve the imbalance, Neda Smith, a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner and owner of Gut Harmony Holistic Digestive Center, recommended making small lifestyle changes like practicing deep breathing, taking walks, having a massage or even simply laughing more to reduce stress. Tweaks like getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep, drinking more water, adding a spore-based probiotic and prebiotic to your diet, eating a wholesome diet and eating slowly can also potentially improve the gut.
If uncomfortable feelings like cramps, gas, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, rashes, nausea, fatigue or acid reflux persist, Smith recommended seeking help from a professional.
Gut Harmony offers a stool test to check the health of the microbiome.
“We can look at the quantity, quality and, most importantly, the diversity of the gut bacteria load to assess the health of your body. We can identify if any pathogens are present, such as an overgrowth of bacteria, as well as yeast, fungus and parasites,” she explained.
One therapy Smith provides is an option to cleanse the body through colon hydrotherapy, known as colonics.
“Colonics exercises and stimulates the colon to build its health and function, bringing about better bowel movements and assisting with decreased gas and bloating,” she continued, also stressing the importance of using a certified colon hydrotherapist for the procedure.
Colonics, Smith explained, accelerates the process of balancing bacteria in the gut, ultimately improving overall health.
“Our philosophy at Gut Harmony is, ‘All disease begins in the gut, but so does all health,’” she said.
For more information about colonic procedures or other solutions to improve your gut health, visit https://gutharmonysc.com.
