Internationally renowned expert Dr. Megan Rossi can’t stress enough the importance of gut health.
“It’s been linked with the health of just about every organ in our body,” says Rossi. “Every day there’s a new study published uncovering just how vital the gut is to our overall health and happiness, so it certainly is worth getting excited about.”
Rossi says, “It is an absolute privilege to be able to help hundreds of thousands of people embrace the power of their guts and enjoy good gut health every day, with books, clinics, and gut-loving food products, as well as easy-to-digest advice and deliciously diverse recipes.”
Getting the word out
Dr. Rossi’s latest book, “Love Your Gut,” outlines how the gut works, how to maximize its potential, and how to manage it through diet when it’s not functioning quite right.
“Using the right balance of science, anecdotes, and practical strategies, the book will take you on a journey of discovery, leaving you with tangible take-homes that will have a meaningful and measurable difference to your everyday life,” explains Rossi, a registered dietician, nutritionist, and consultant. “The book includes 10 questionnaires to help you develop your very own gut health action plan, to ensure the strategies and goals are personalized to your gut, because every gut is different.”
By the numbers
According to Rossi, there’s no disputing the need to prioritize gut health.
“It’s a landmark scientific discovery that’s essentially changing how we prevent, manage, and treat diseases,” says Rossi. “And it’s not just about disease, it’s about supporting longevity, where good gut health has been linked with healthier aging. Good gut health is also key to having a healthy immune system, with 70 percent of our immune system living in our gut.”
One study of more than 70,000 Americans found that more than 60 percent had experienced at least one gut symptom in the past week. Included were heartburn/reflux (30.9 percent), abdominal pain (24.8 percent), bloating (20.6 percent), diarrhea (20.2 percent) and constipation (19.7 percent).
It’s not that complicated
Rossi says keeping good gut health doesn’t have to rely on expensive supplements. Simple changes can make a big difference.
“Go for variety and fill up on fiber. Plant-based diversity is key. Include all six plant food groups: fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Tins of mixed beans in your Bolognese, packs of mixed veggies instead of just one type, and sprinkles of mixed seeds are easy swaps. Dabble in fermented foods. Kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut are all great options. They are cost-effective and easy to make at home, too.”
In addition, you should get your rest and de-stress.
“Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep a night, and try just 15 minutes a day of mindfulness to relax the gut-brain axis. Move your body. Whatever exercise you like, your gut will too. Try to get your heart rate up for 30 minutes most days.”
No magic formula
The reality is there is no single measure we can use to assess our gut health, no matter which companies promote gut microbiome testing kits.
“These commercial tests are not giving you the full picture, not yet anyway,” Rossi points out. “The science is still developing, but it’s not there yet, meaning these tests don’t change our clinical advice.” As for taking steps to improve your overall health, Rossi adds, “My doctorate investigated whether targeting your gut with the right nutrition can improve the health of not just your gut, but other organs, such as your mental health, kidney health, and heart health. It turns out, it can.”
