4 Toxins That Are Destroying Your Gut Health
Many people don’t realize just how important gut bacteria is for their health. Your gut is home to over one trillion bacteria, and in order to keep things running smoothly, those bacteria need to stay healthy. But, there are many, many things out there that can upset gut balance.
4 Toxins That Destroy Gut Health
Your gut has a tremendous influence on your overall health, that's why it's important to nurture and take care of it. Here are four common toxins that may be destroying not only your gut, but your overall well-being.
1. Antibiotics
Certain antibiotics can affect gut flora — even changing “the microbial and metabolic patterns of the gut.”[1] Common antibiotics, like penicillin or erythromycin, disrupt microbiome diversity.[2] This disruption of the gut can also disrupt overall wellness.
2. Pesticides
Weedkiller, which contains glyphosate, is often used by farmers. Residue from the toxin contaminates the food supply. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are on the rise, and glyphosate is the culprit and that it destroys gut health and kills healthy gut bacteria. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease can, in turn, lead to other health issues.[3]
3. Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers keep the ingredients in processed food from separating and they improve shelf life. If you’re buying processed food, it's likely to contain emulsifiers. These toxic additives could also be adding to the obesity epidemic ”by interfering with microbes in the gastrointestinal tract.”[4] Emulsifiers could even be a factor in other serious health issues like inflammatory bowel disease and metabolic syndrome.
4. Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners could even change the way your body processes sugar — leading to high blood sugar, a possible precursor to diabetes.[5] Because they contain no calories, these sweeteners aren’t digested, but they still have to make their way through the gastrointestinal tract. Artificial sweeteners may even "favor the growth of bacteria that make more calories available to us", and contribute to weight gain.[6]
Repairing Your Gut
You gut bacteria don’t just affect your physical health; they can influence your mental health as well. There’s evidence levels of certain gut bacteria are linked to anxiety disorders and depression.[7] A healthy gut can be one of the most important paths to maintain a healthy body and a healthy mind. Cleanse your gut to remove toxins and take a quality probiotic to support gut health. Global Healing’s own Gut Health Kit™ contains the finest cleansing supplements and probiotics, as well as enzyme support and soothing botanicals. Consider this kit to remove accumulated toxins from your intestines, simultaneously populating your digestive tract with beneficial bacteria, encourage healthy digestion, and soothe damaged tissue.
References (7)
- Perez-Cobas, A. E. et al. Gut microbiota disturbance during antibiotic therapy: a multi-omic approach. Gut. 62.
- Hassan, T. Pharmacologic considerations for patients taking oral contraceptives. CONNECTICUT DENTAL STUDENT JOURNAL.
- Samsel, A. & Seneff, S. Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases. Entropy. 15 (4).
- Chassaing, B. et al. Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome. Nature. 519.
- Suez, J. et al. Artificial sweeteners induce glucose intolerance by altering the gut microbiota. Nature. 514 (7521).
- Shell, E. R. Artificial Sweeteners May Change Our Gut Bacteria in Dangerous Ways. Scientific American. 312 (4).
- Evrensel, Alper, and Mehmet Emin Ceylan. “The Gut-Brain Axis: The Missing Link in Depression.” Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 13.3 (2015): 239–244. PMC. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
