The Gut: Where It All Starts

The Gut: Where It All Starts

You may have heard the quote "All disease begins in the gut". I doubt Hippocrates knew when he spoke these famous words just how vital they would be in the year 2026. Scientists are only just now discovering how much truth there is behind this claim - and what we can do about it.

But what even is our "gut"? What does it consist of? What does it do?

The gut (also known as the Gastrointestinal or GI Tract), goes far beyond digestion by maintaining communication in our body via the gut-brain axis; the pathway between the gastrointestinal system and central nervous system.

Containing trillions of micro-organisms, our gut is actually a living ecosystem that, when kept balanced, allows our body to function properly. But when disrupted, chronic disease, fatigue, sickness, autoimmune issues, and even depression and anxiety can appear.

Certain foods and toxins can disrupt this balance causing "leaky gut", a condition where the intestinal lining is damaged, allowing toxins, bacteria, and undigested food particles to "leak" through into the bloodstream. This can trigger inflammation, immune responses, and digestive issues like bloating, food sensitivities, and diarrhea, and can manifest as various diseases and conditions, such as the ones listed above.

Did you know? More than 90% of serotonin, also called the feel-good hormone, is produced in the gut.

And it doesn't stop there. According to researchers at UCLA and a study published in the National Institutes of Health, roughly 70-80% of your entire immune system lives in your gut. That means the health of your microbiome isn't just about digestion - it's the foundation of your body's ability to fight illness, regulate inflammation, and stay resilient. When your gut is compromised, your immune defenses are too.

Your gut bacteria also produce something called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), compounds like butyrate, propionate, and acetate, when they ferment dietary fiber. According to research published in peer-reviewed journals and highlighted by Dr. Mark Hyman, MD, these SCFAs are essential fuel for gut cells, help regulate cancer risk signals, reduce systemic inflammation, and support immune function throughout the body. This is one of the biggest reasons fiber-rich, whole foods matter so much.

The microbiome is also made up of over 1,000 different bacterial species and contains more than five million genes; approximately 150 times more genetic material than the human genome itself. We are, in the most literal sense, more microbe than human.

COMMON FOODS & SUBSTANCES THAT DAMAGE THE GUT AND CAUSE INFLAMMATION

  • Highly processed or packaged foods
  • Most conventional non-organic coffees
  • Modern wheat & grains (and oats)
  • Sugars, especially high fructose corn syrup & artificial sweeteners
  • Seed oils
  • Processed meats
  • Fried foods
  • Foods high in lectins (nightshades vegetables, wheat/grains, beans)
  • GMO foods & produce grown with pesticides
  • Alcohol
  • Antibiotic drugs
  • Hormones, including birth control pills
  • Steroids
  • Anti-inflammatories, including ibuprofen, Advil, and aspirin
  • Acid blockers, like those prescribed for acid reflux

(List from: https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/how-to-feed-your-gut)

So what can you do to start healing? Experts consistently point to the same foundational habits: prioritize fiber-rich whole foods and fermented foods (like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir), reduce ultra-processed foods and added sugars, avoid unnecessary antibiotic use, manage stress, and get adequate sleep. According to Dr. Hyman and Dr. Steven Gundry, two of the most prominent voices in functional and gut health medicine, restoring balance in the gut is one of the most powerful things you can do for whole-body healing.

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