We know that gut health is important to our health overall. A disrupted balance of microbes is being linked to a range of disorders and diseases. Here at Embody HQ, we are of course interested in the effects of diet on your gut. However, when it comes to gut health, we often find some other big factors are ignored.
Though not our area of expertise by any means, today we want to take a moment to focus on movement!
There is a significant amount of evidence to suggest that independent of diet, exercise can promote a rich and diverse gut microbiota, and contribute to production of the much-loved short chain fatty acid, butyrate.
Butyrate is proposed to be behind many positive gut-health effects, including maintaining a healthy lining and reducing inflammation. Exercise may also lead to shifts in the microbiota that promote good metabolic health and a healthy weight.
It’s likely the type of exercise will have different effects, but what seems to matter most is…. CONSISTENCY. Like with anything in health, being able to maintain it long term is the defining factor in success and keeping the positive change happening.
Ideally, aim to move your microbes (body) for about ½ an hour for most days of the week. If that just sounds totally ridiculous, move it for 1 or 2 days.
Can you?
· Aim for 5,000 or 10,000 steps (or wherever you are at).
· Take a yoga/pilates class (online in the comfort of your own home).
· Do a walk and/or jog.
· Walk around the block.
· Tick of 3-5 gym classes.
Or… something that suits you! Just like our trillions of microbes, we’re all very different!
At Embody we love to keep each other accountable, and as a community, always try and do a little better than last week! If you can commit to a little extra movement this week, let us know.. we would love to hear about it.
Come and join our growing community in our free Facebook Group.