In the world of weight loss, calorie counting is no stranger. However some people seem to find it easier than others even when they follow the same “rules”. This is often because intake and absorption are two different concepts.
While we all have the same parts, the condition of our organs has a large bearing on how they function and the differences that occur between people. The gut is no exception and when it comes to weight management, poor gut health directly affects your energy intake. People who have poor gut health actually absorb more calories from their food than those with a healthy gut. More calories absorbed means greater output to ensure that the calories absorbed aren’t stored as fat.
What is a healthy gut?
While there is certainly more that could be said to answer this question, the two main problems most people face are related to their bacteria and inflammatory issues. A healthy gut is like any ecosystem. It is reliant on having a well developed community of healthy bacteria that interact. This is termed biodiversity. Our foods, inflammatory status and nutrition directly affect the balance of bacteria in our digestive system.
Unfortunately for most people, if their gut health is poor the solution isn’t always as simple as starting to eat better, and even with positive changes to their diet many people still don’t lose weight. A qualified nutritionist can help in restoring normal gut function through strategies to repair any existing damage and by promoting a healthy balance of bacteria.
How do you know what your gut health is like?
There are a few key tell-tale signs of gut health problems including fatigue, brain fog, nutrient deficiencies and of course bloating, constipation and diarrhoea. Another often missed sign is having repeated infections as the immune system is extremely dependent on normal gut function. Another sign that is often not associated with the digestive system are mood disturbances and in particular depression and anxiety. With around 70% of your body’s seretonin being located in the gut it is not surprising to see why!