Digestive health: synonymous of quality of life

Digestive health is much more than just having a healthy digestive tract. Good digestive health is also synonymous with a strong immune system, good mental health and, ultimately, good quality of life.

Digestive health ensures the proper functioning of our digestive system and, therefore, proper digestion, which facilitates the supply of nutrients to the body, as well as the excretion of waste generated. It also ensures the balance of the microbiota, protection against other pathogens and their overgrowth in the intestine, as well as decisive effects on the immune system.

“It is called the ‘second brain’ because of the presence of neurons and the synthesis of neurotransmitters, as well as the close relationship with the brain. Good digestive health is crucial for good mental health. A healthy intestine is synonymous with good quality of life. So much so that there is a World Digestive Health Day on 29 May”, explains Dr. Amina Alani, digestive health expert at SHA Wellness Clinic.

The role of the intestine in our overall well-being is absolutely crucial and is currently one of the main scientific areas of research. As the digestive system is interconnected with the rest of the body, and especially with the central nervous system and the immune system, good digestive health is reflected in good general health.

“I like to say that the digestive system is like a ‘balancer’ of the body”, adds Dr. Amina Alani.

The intestine, microbiota and their relationship with our body

We have many bacteria scattered throughout our bodies and most of them are good for our health. Those found in the gut not only help you to digest food, but also function throughout the body and provide benefits for our physical and mental health.

Then there is the intestinal microbiota, which is like the “home base” of bacteria in our digestive tract. It helps break down food and convert nutrients into things our bodies can use to our advantage.

The “good” bacteria not only help with digestion, they help keep the “bad” bacteria in check. They multiply so often that the unhealthy ones have no room to grow. This is the key: the healthy balance of bacteria in our intestine.

Digestive problems… and general health problems

It is easy to assume that a bad balance can lead to pathologies such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome. However, it’s not just digestive conditions that can develop, but also others relating to different areas of our bodies.

For example, some types of gut bacteria can raise cholesterol and thus increase the risk of heart disease or chronic kidney disease.

The influence of good or bad digestive health goes beyond physical symptoms or pathologies. It also affects our mind and emotional health.

Studies show that the balance of bacteria in the intestinal microbiome can affect our emotions and the way our brain processes information from its senses, such as images, sounds, tastes or textures.

Scientists warn that changes in this balance can influence such serious problems as anxiety, depression or chronic pain.

“We can think of this area as our second brain. Our emotions or thoughts are communicated with the gut,” stresses Dr. Amina Alani.

Medical supervision and healthy habits, the keys to a healthy intestine

We must take care of and monitor the proper functioning of our intestine. That is why, in the event of any digestive anomaly, it is necessary to see a specialist.

The acquisition of healthy habits will undoubtedly benefit the development of good digestive health and, consequently, good general health.

Dr. Amina Aldani suggests some healthy habits that are essential to ensure the good health of our intestines:

• Increase consumption of prebiotic and probiotic foods.
• Learn to manage stress.
• Exercise.
• Get adequate rest.
• Promote maternal breastfeeding.

The SHA Method and its contribution to digestive health

Aware of the vital importance of digestive health in our general wellbeing, SHA Wellness Clinic has designed a Focus Pack that involves different therapeutic disciplines.

“We have created a specific area where we try to offer an innovative and multidisciplinary service of prevention, guidance and treatment of disorders involving digestive and microbiota imbalance, as well as the various psychological and organic disorders that generate these dysfunctions”, summarises Dr. Amina Alani.

The Digestive Health Focus Pack establishes a package in conjunction with the Detox Health Programme that encompasses different areas, treatments and therapies to restore, insofar as possible, the balance and correct functioning of the digestive system, starting with a complete diagnosis to the application of cutting-edge therapies, improving the state of the intestinal microbiota as well as the immune, neuroendocrine and emotional systems from an integrative point of view.

The final objective is the total repair of the functions of the digestive system through the recovery of the intestinal mucosa to achieve a complete purification of the organism, improve tolerance to certain foods and, with this, optimise the overall health and quality of life of the individual.

Five Keys

1- Digestive health is much more than just having a healthy digestive tract. Good digestive health is also synonymous with a strong immune system, good mental health and, in short, a good quality of life.

2- As the digestive system is interconnected with the rest of the body, and especially with the central nervous system and the immune system, good digestive health is reflected in good general health.

3- We have many bacteria spread throughout our body and most of them are good for our health. Those found in your gut not only help you to digest food, but also function throughout the body and provide benefits for our physical and mental health.

4- To sustain good digestive health, it is important to consume prebiotic and probiotic foods, learn to manage stress, exercise, get adequate rest or promote breastfeeding.

5- Aware of the vital importance of digestive health in our general wellbeing, SHA Wellness Clinic has designed a Focus Pack that involves different therapeutic disciplines.

Did you know what?

The digestive tract is called “the second brain” because of the presence of neurons and the synthesis of neurotransmitters, as well as the close relationship with the brain.

The gut microbiota, which is like the “home base” of bacteria in our digestive tract., helps to break down food and convert nutrients into things that our body can use to our advantage.

It’s easy to assume that a poor balance can lead to conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome. However, it is not only digestive conditions that can develop, but also conditions in other areas of the body.

Studies show that the balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome can affect our emotions and the way our brain processes information from its senses, such as images, sounds, tastes or textures.

The acquisition of healthy habits will undoubtedly benefit the development of good digestive health and, consequently, good general health.