Why foodies are prioritizing gut health in modern diets

With fine-dining establishments, trendy restaurants, and street food haunts opening left and right, Filipino foodies have plenty of choices to sink their teeth into. 

Although this may seem like a Filipino foodie’s dream, some consequences have to be considered. There is a saying that too much of a good thing can be bad. In the case of food, consuming excessive amounts can lead to certain effects on your health.

In recent years, foodies and non-foodies have been searching for strategies that can balance their appetites for all things tasty and good for their health. Boosting gut health is one of the most talked about plans of action as it works in the body internally, while positively affecting multiple processes.

What Can You Find in the Gut?

What is commonly referred to as the “gut” is one’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is made up of 

many organs and is responsible for four key functions: ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination.1 The main components of one’s GI tract include the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus. Your teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas serve as accessory organs.2 However, it is not these mentioned organs that make gut health the subject of multiple discussions, but rather what can be found within them. 

Various bacteria strains populate one’s gastrointestinal tract, especially in the colon, although small amounts are found in the stomach. This group is often referred to as one’s gut microbiome or gut microbiota.3

What Are the Benefits of Good Gut Bacteria? 

The answers to this question have largely to do with the capabilities of the good bacteria strains found in the gut microbiome. Researchers have discovered that bacteria in the gut microbiome can help produce different vitamins, synthesize essential and nonessential amino acids, and transform bile.4

The good bacteria in the gut microbiome can also cause a barrier or competitive-exclusion effect, as highlighted by a 2014 study.4 This happens when the good bacteria strains produce antimicrobial substances and “race” for nutrients and attachment sites in the lining of your gut. This helps prevent bad bacteria and viruses from attaching to the gut and making you sick.

The increase of good bacteria strains in the gut microbiome can also assist in providing energy that is needed both by the body and for bacterial growth and development. 

Don’t Count Out Digestive Enzymes for Gut Health 

It’s not just the good bacteria strains in the gut microbiome that can help improve gut health. During digestion, certain organs in the digestive system produce enzymes that are needed to break down certain components found in food. 

For instance, the small intestine produces lipase that helps break down triglycerides or fats2 so the body can digest them more efficiently.5 The pancreas also secretes6 proteases that aim to break down proteins from food.7 Lastly, the salivary glands and the pancreas also produce a digestive enzyme called amylase8 that assists with breaking down starch or carbohydrates into dextrin and smaller molecules.9

Although they may not be as abundant compared to the organisms in the gut microbiome (which can reach up to 100 trillion10), don’t forget that these enzymes are critical in digesting food and deriving vital nutrients.

What Can You Do to Improve Gut Health? 

For many foodies, there may be days when they can eat too much unhealthy food and may become prone to signs of dyspepsia or indigestion such as pain or bloating.11 Even worse, one’s gut health can be drastically affected and cause more instances of discomfort. 

When these occur, it is always best to seek medical attention. However, there are some key steps that you can take to maintain a healthy gut environment, reduce the risk of stomach pain or discomfort, and help normalize the digestive process.

Undeniably, your best source of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that can nourish your gut health is the food you eat. You have probably heard of probiotic- and prebiotic-rich food choices, like fruits and vegetables, that can be included in your meals.

As a supplement to a well-balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, consider asking your doctor about Enzyplex®, a digestive enzyme food supplement that, together with proper diet and exercise, helps facilitate the normal digestive process due to its amylase, protease, and lipase content. These three substances are digestive enzymes that help break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Enzyplex® also contains vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12. While these vitamins may not often be associated with gut health, note that studies have linked these to roles in biological processes such as digestion and energy metabolism.12 13 

Whether you are a foodie who prefers simple meals or five-star feasts, make sure to take care of your gut. By doing so, you can enjoy more of the delicious food life has to offer. To supplement proper diet and ample exercise, consider asking your doctor about Enzyplex® today!

Enzyplex® is available online in Lazada and Shopee, and in leading drugstores nationwide at a suggested retail price (SRP) of Php13.80 per tablet. 

Always remember: It is best to consult a doctor before starting any supplement.

MAHALAGANG PAALALA: ANG ENZYPLEX® AY HINDI GAMOT AT HINDI DAPAT GAMITING PANGGAMOT SA ANUMANG URI NG SAKIT. 

ASC Reference Code: U0291P103024E

References:

• Cheng, L. K., O’Grady, G., Du, P., Egbuji, J. U., Windsor, J. A., & Pullan, A. J. (2010). Gastrointestinal system. WIREs Systems Biology and Medicine, 2(1), 65–79. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsbm.19

• Ogobuiro, I., Gonzales, J., Shumway, K. R., & Tuma, F. (2023, April 8). Physiology, gastrointestinal. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537103/ 

• Dieterich, W., Schink, M., & Zopf, Y. (2018). Microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract. Medical Sciences, 6(4), 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci6040116 

• Bull, M. J., & Plummer, N. T. (2014, December 1). Part 1: The human gut Microbiome in Health and Disease. PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566439/ 

• Pirahanchi, Y., & Sharma, S. (2018). Biochemistry, lipase. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331364496_Biochemistry_Lipase 

• Pandol, S. J. (2010). Digestive enzymes. The Exocrine Pancreas – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK54127/ 

• Choudhury, N. (2023). Understanding the molecular mechanisms of proteases in bioprocessing: A review on the future of the food industry. Research & Reviews a Journal of Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.37591/(rrjobt).v13i2.1460  

• Gachons, C. P. D., & Breslin, P. a. S. (2016). Salivary amylase: Digestion and Metabolic syndrome. Current Diabetes Reports, 16(10). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-016-0794-7 

• Upadhyay, D. (2021). A STUDY ON AMYLASE: REVIEW. International Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Allied Sciences, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.31032/ijbpas/2021/10.4.1037

• Hou, K., Wu, Z., Chen, X., Wang, J., Zhang, D., Xiao, C., Zhu, D., Koya, J. B., Wei, L., Li, J., & Chen, Z. (2022). Microbiota in health and diseases. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-022-00974-4 

• Functional dyspepsia – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. (2022, December 29). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/functional-dyspepsia/symptoms-causes/syc-20375709 

• Maqbool, M. A., Aslam, M., Akbar, W., & Iqbal, Z. (2018). Biological importance of vitamins for human health: A review. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325359151_Biological_importance_of_vitamins_for_human_health_A_review 

• Lyon, P., Strippoli, V., Fang, B., & Cimmino, L. (2020). B Vitamins and One-Carbon Metabolism: Implications in human health and disease. Nutrients, 12(9), 2867. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092867 

ADVT.

This article is brought to you by Enzyplex through GetHooked 360.