By Dr. Basheerah

Holistic Health Expert + Mr. Harvey’s Nutritionist
Dr. Basheerah Ahmad, PhD

Heal Your Gut – Did you know that a healthy gut is the foundation for good health? When our gut has a healthy microbiome, our immune system thrives, our skin glows, and our hormones are balanced.

When you have an unhealthy gut, you may experience gastrointestinal issues such as excessive bloating, gas, or other stomach issues such as IBS. You might find yourself experiencing skin issues such as acne or dry patches. You may also experience unintentional yet drastic fluctuations in weight or even sleep complications.

If you find yourself experiencing any combination of these symptoms, this could be a sign that your gut’s microbiome could benefit from a good reboot.

Thankfully, there are things you can do today to help set you and your gut on the track to good health, and it all starts with what you put on your plate.

Firstly, if you want to keep your gut health in order, you should absolutely stay away from fried, or highly processed food. These foods are very difficult for your body to digest, and the oils, which are often high in saturated fats, can contribute to stomach irritation, which can lead to gas, diarrhea and stomach pain.

It should go without saying that making sure you’re incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet is going to help kick-start good gut health. Fruits and vegetables are naturally rich in fiber, which stimulates the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut.

Some of the best fruits and vegetables you can eat to stimulate this healthy growth of bacteria include bananas, broccoli, apples, artichokes, and any variety of dark, leafy greens.

Other foods that are also naturally high in fiber are beans, legumes, and whole-grain bread. Consuming fermented food is also an excellent way to cultivate a healthy microbiome. Some good examples of fermented foods are kimchi, kombucha, tempeh, and sauerkraut to name a few. Yogurt is also an excellent fermented food to consume for a healthy gut, however, you should be wary of flavored yogurts, because they often contain high amounts of sugar, which can contribute to gut issues rather than help to resolve them. Try to steer clear of flavored yogurts, and opt for plain, or unsweetened yogurt.

Fermented foods are rich in lactobacilli, a type of bacteria that helps your gut microbiome thrive. People who consume foods that are high in lactobacilli also are shown to have lower levels of Enterobacteriaceae, a harmful type of bacteria that is known to contribute to inflammation and other chronic gut issues.

Foods that are rich in a particular plant compound known as polyphenols are known to have many health benefits besides contributing to a healthy gut microbiome. Polyphenols can aid in lowering blood pressure, inflammation, and cholesterol levels. Some foods that are high in this special plant compound include almonds, onions, green tea, dark chocolate, and even red wine, in moderation, of course.

A healthy gut is going to help propel you to a healthy future, and taking the proper measures to ensure your gut health is going to yield benefits that will carry you through the rest of your life.

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More about Dr. Basheerah Ahmad, PhD
Holistic Health Expert + Mr. Harvey’s Nutritionist

With a passion for helping others achieve their goals and be their best selves, Dr. Basheerah Ahmad (Dr. B) is a sought-after International Health & Wellness Expert and is apart of Mr. Harvey’s personal wellness team. She holds a Doctorate in Natural Medicine and a MS in Exercise Science. She is also the creator of exercise and nutrition programs such as The Fit Mogul, 360 Transformation (360T) and the 4321 Nutrition Plan.

Dr. Basheerah is part of Steve Harvey’s L’Evate You science team.
For more about L’Evate You, visit: https://levateyou.com