The gut is a more complex system than most people are aware of. There’s more to it than digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and passing the waste out of the body.
Over the years, many studies have established the importance of gut health and its link to a person’s overall well-being. It’s where 70% of your immunity comes from, and it can affect your mood, skin, mental health, and risks of contracting chronic and fatal diseases, including cancer.
How do you know when your gut isn’t healthy? You could experience clusters of the following:
- Upset stomach
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Unexpected weight gain or weight loss
- Constant fatigue
- Insomnia
- Skin irritation
- Food intolerance
- Autoimmune diseases
Toxins that Affect Gut Health
One of the major factors that affect the composition of the gut microbiome is environmental toxins. These toxins can come from chemicals used in food production, agriculture, and the manufacturing of consumer products, among others. They include the following.
Pesticides
Pesticides are used in agriculture in growing produce conventionally. The toxins from pesticides can kill beneficial bacteria in the gut, causing an imbalance. When there’s an imbalance between classes of resident bacteria, it weakens the gut health and makes an individual more prone to sicknesses.
Antibiotics and Drugs
Antibiotics and drugs are used to treat diseases, but they can also result in toxicity in the gut microbiome. Antibiotics can kill some types of beneficial bacteria, which disturbs their diversity and composition. In some cases, repeated and excessive exposure to antibiotics leads to obesity and diabetes.
Food Additives
Food additives, such as preservatives and artificial sweeteners, are a large part of the modern food industry. For many, there’s a regulated ‘safe’ amount that can be added to food. However, when the standards were created, they failed to consider the toxicity to the gut microbes.
The gut microbes can, unfortunately, metabolize some artificial sweeteners into toxic compounds. These compounds can be carcinogenic, can result in inflammation and obesity, and can lead to glucose intolerance.
Triclosan
Triclosan is found in some personal care products, such as mouthwash, deodorant, and toothpaste. That makes it very easy to penetrate the skin and be absorbed by the body. When it reaches the gut, it can alter the types of bacteria and affect the immune system. It can result in skin-related issues, such as eczema and skin allergies.
BPA
BPA is an industrial chemical that can be found typically in plastic bottles and other containers of food and beverages. It can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut because, in the human body, BPA acts like a hormone. It mimics the hormone estrogen, affecting the metabolic process and reproductive system.
Exposure to BPA toxins has been associated with various diseases, including reproductive and neurological problems.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals, such as lead, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, and chromium, can be found in drinking water and soil. Exposure to them can cause significant changes to the bacterial composition in the gut, which can lead to gastrointestinal inflammation, which will also alter the gut’s metabolic activities.
Nicotine
Nicotine is a major component of tobacco, and it can be toxic to the gut microbiome. It can disrupt the gut microbiome and the production of neurotransmitters in the gut.
Protect Your Gut from Toxins
Toxins are present in our daily lives and it may seem impossible to avoid them. The good thing is that you can take measures to protect yourself against toxins.
Here are some suggestions:
Use Natural Products
Use natural cleaning products at home and avoid harmful pesticides. If you need to deal with pesticides, it’s best to leave it to professionals who know how to handle the chemicals safely. Also, read the labels of the products you buy and choose the ones without food additives.
Avoid Plastics
Avoid using plastics and choose other containers, such as stainless steel, glass, and BPA-free storage.
Avoid Eating Canned Goods
BPA can be found in the lining of canned goods, so limit your consumption as much as possible.
Keep Your Liver and Gut Healthy
A healthy gut and liver make your body’s detox system stronger and more effective in removing toxins.
People are exposed to environmental toxins every day. From agricultural produce to drinking water to personal care products, many toxins can affect the gut microbiome and cause health problems. Keeping the gut healthy, along with the liver, can boost the body’s defense system against these toxins.
