Mailbag: Gut Health Is CRITICAL at ANY Age
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 9, 2024
“Is gut health really that important? Will it really change the health of someone already in their 60s?”
– Theresa
Hi Theresa,
It’s NEVER too late to make your gut healthier or to benefit from that improvement.
Making healthy changes to your food, lifestyle, and gut microbiome in your 60s… and BEYOND… can still have BIG payoffs.
In fact, you may get even MORE benefits from boosting your gut health in your senior years than when you were younger.
You see, digestive problems become more common as you age. This is because our bodies slow as we age, our stomach acid levels drop, and our gut bacteria change.
However, taking care of your gut health can help you deal with (or avoid) some of these age-linked tummy troubles.
A healthy gut microbiome (the bacteria living in your gut) is good for your health in general. But it often shrinks or becomes unbalanced as you age.
So, taking probiotics, eating fermented foods, and focusing on fiber can help get your bacterial balance back on track.
Improving your gut health will slash overall inflammation for healthier aging. Plus, it will support your immune system, bones, and brain as you age.
Taking care of your gut health ALSO makes it easier to absorb and use the nutrients in our food.
The bottom line is gut health is CRITICAL at any age. And you can easily make changes to your gut microbiome and digestive function in your 60s and beyond that contribute to healthy aging.
- Avoid antibiotics unless you absolutely need them.
- Eat plenty of fermented foods, including sauerkraut, pickles, yogurt, and kefir. And if you’re more adventurous, consider miso, natto, and kimchi.
- Take a good probiotic: I like to rotate probiotics to expose my gut to a wide variety of bacteria.
- Eat plenty of fiber prebiotics. Probiotics need food, and fiber is one of the best ways to feed them. Fresh raw vegetables are your best source of prebiotic fiber.
- Prioritize sleep, reduce your stress levels, and exercise regularly.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier gut… and mastering your microbiome… in no time.
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? CLICK HERE to submit your question and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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