Often called the body's second brain, the human gut is a complex system that regulates a large number of bodily functions. For instance, 2/3 of your immune system functioning is regulated by your gut. Also, 80% of the neurotransmitter serotonin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, not the brain. That means that your GI tract is largely responsible for both your general physical AND mental wellbeing. Your gut also plays a large role in regulating your metabolism. Healthy gut, healthy metabolism. Unhealthy gut, unhealthy metabolism.

So, what makes a gut healthy vs. unhealthy? One word: bacteria.

Yes, folks, your gut needs lots of healthy, thriving, good-for-you bacteria in order to maintain your physical and mental well being. In terms of your waistline, consider this: In a recent study, researchers were able to make mice lean or obese by altering their gut bacteria. Another revealing find of this study was that when "lean" bacteria were given to mice on a high fat, low fruits & vegetables diet, they did not get lean like their counterparts did who were on a low fat, high fruits & vegetables diet.

At Evolution Fitness, we always talk about how calories are not created equally. This is why. While you can conceivably eat your optimal caloric intake eating highly processed foods, it is not the same as consuming the same amount of calories eating fruits, vegetables, lean proteins & moderate amounts of healthy fats. Healthy bacteria can only thrive in guts fed a healthy & varied diet.

The following are steps you can take to increase the health of your gut:

1. Eat lots of fruit & vegetables. Eat a variety of fruits & vegetables.
2. Eat the healthy fats, stay away from the processed trans fats.
3. Avoid processed & de-natured foods, or rather, food products.
4. Avoid high fructose corn syrup.
5. Avoid carrageenan. (Carrageenan is derived from seaweed & is commonly used as a thickening agent in ice cream, yogurt, sour cream & alternative milk products like soy milk. It is even used in some organic products so read your labels. It causes inflammation in your gut.)
6. Avoid regular alcohol consumption.
7. Regularly de-stress. (Stress is toxic to your body. Chronic stress causes your body to produce less secretory IgA, one of the first lines of immune defense. It also slows down digestion, which reduces blood flow to digestive organs & produces toxic metabolites.)
8. Get your zzzzzzzzzz's, 7-8 hours a night.
9. Take probiotics while on antibiotics. (Antibiotics indiscriminately kill all bacteria, both healthy & unhealthy. Don't take the probiotic at the exact same time you take the antibiotic because it will kill it. Take them intermittently.)
10. Eat an abundance of pre-probiotics like onions, garlic & leeks.

There is still time to sign-up and join us for a fun morning full of challenges!    

 We will start out with a group warm-up and then progress into stage one of the challenge. There are four stages total. Members are encouraged to come and participate or just to cheer on their fellow members and competitors as they traverse our course! See you at 8:30!