Education & Resources
Glossary
Gut Health: Refers to the state of your “microbiome” (see below) in reference to the number of “good” bugs versus “bad” ones in your gut.
Microbiome: The collection of all the microorganisms living in the digestive track. The health of our “gut” plays a role in EVERY part of our body — including our brain. According to Dr Mark Hyman, “When working correctly, our gut digests our food and absorbs nutrients so we can have energy and vitality. It eliminates toxins and fights pathogens. It’s also the home of trillions of microorganisms that aid in these processes and do so much more, like manage inflammation and produce neurotransmitters.” It’s frequently noted that over 70% of your immune system is housed in the “gut.” So, it’s role in disease prevention as well as recovery can’t be overstated.
Going “Clean” has become a broader term for buying products with less toxic ingredients. This includes personal care products (ie. the rise of “clean beauty”) and “clean eating” with well sourced, wholesome foods. There is little regulation by the FDA around products so using the Environmental Working Group (EWG) as a trusted resource is your safest bet to search products for safety.
Below are two helpful resources to learn more:
Understanding how the Microbiome Affects Every Aspect of Your Health - podcast by one of the leading physicians, educators and figures in Functional Medicine, Dr. Mark Hyman
Building a Healthy Gut Microbiome - a good summary from The Mayo Clinic