blk. BLOG
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blk. & Digestive Health 101:
Discover how to support a healthy digestive system.
In today's world health-related buzzwords are all over the place. "Healthy this" or "5 ways you can....", "Trending diets", and more. This makes it harder for consumers to really understand if a product, routine, or diet is right for them. As with everything in life, balance is key! It never comes down to only having one product in your regimen but more so how you build a well-rounded lifestyle from everything! Proper nutrition, exercise, and incorporating good-for-you ingredients all help support your overall health. Every little thing counts and ultimately has an affect on your digestive system.
At blk., we strive to help educate our consumers about Fulvic Acid and the science behind our products. As research continues to evolve in the health and science world, our biggest priority is our customers, and being able to provide them with a wellness product that truly has their health in mind. It's what we live for! Let's explore digestive health and how blk. supports your guts wellbeing.
What is digestive health?
Did you ever take a nutrition class? Watch an educational show about the human body? Or simply discussed gut-health with your Doctor? Just incase, here's a little refresher on the digestive system and what we like to call the "need to know" basics. According to an article published by the Harvard Medical School, "Your digestive system breaks down foods and liquids into their chemical components—carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and the like—that the body can absorb as nutrients and use for energy or to build or repair cells."
The journey through the digestive system starts in the mouth, passes down the esophagus, and into to the stomach which is where digestion begins. Our food begins mixing and turning to break down enzymes and nutrients for our body to absorb. From here, any left-over waste transports into your large intestines, where bacteria digests the remains. Our large intestine is responsible for absorbing water from ingestible products. Now you may be asking yourself where does the remainder of that food go? Let's just say it ends with you!
When it comes to our digestive system issues can easily arise, causing people to experience digestion problems. Whether it's diet, genetics, or a combination of both, nutrition plays a large role in helping our guts run smoothly.
Digestion and the Gut-Brain Axis
The gut-brain axis (GBA) is the biochemical signaling that occurs between your gut and brain. This is referring to the interaction and influence of our emotions and cognitive center with intestinal functions. The connection between our gut and brain has a large impact on our bodies overall wellbeing, and a direct effect on the stomach and intestines.
Trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi are found in our small and large intestines. These micro-organisms form the human microbiome, making it a vital supporting organ. The microbiome is a vast community of trillions of bacteria and fungi that have a large impact on our bodies digestive system. In order to keep a healthy balance of bacteria within your system, both good and bad fungi are needed.
Our bodies are capable of altering their microbiota through diet. When we give our microbiome the healthy support it craves it has a positive affect on the Gut-Brain Axis. According to research, nutrition is a big factor in shaping the gut microbiota composition. Essentially what we eat and drink has a direct correlation to regulating brain processes and emotions. What are we getting at? With the GBA having a large influence in the microbiome, balance is vital when it comes to supporting a healthy lifestyle. In order for our Gut-Brain Axis to function properly it's important to be giving our microbiome the nourishment it needs.
Evidence has shown that when we feed our microbiota it influences the GBA to regulate bodily functions, such as cognitive behaviors. Nutrition is largely highlighted as a key role for maintaining brain health.
How does a poor diet affect the digestive system?
In order for the digestive system to run smoothly, proper nutrition is necessary! Since the microbiome needs a balance of beneficial bacteria to thrive, just eating calories won't cut it! Nutrients allow the microbiome to function correctly.
In today's world it's so easy to pick up fast-food or a bag of chips, but when you do this repeatedly your microbiome isn't consuming the nutrients it desperately needs. What happens when we starve the microbiome of nutrients? According to a recent study, researchers discussed what would happen when the gut bacteria in the digestive tract doesn't get any fiber. Researchers found that the bacteria started to eat away at the mucus layer. “The hypothesis is if we stop feeding the microbiome [fiber], the bacteria will resort more frequently to digesting that mucus barrier as a source of nutrients.” This can make the body more vulnerable to certain pathogens and diseases."
The digestive system can easily be thrown off. Poor eating habits, stress, and more can offset the balance of your digestion. According to an article by the B&B, "One third of the population regularly suffer from digestive illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, stomach-ache, nausea and sickness..." Due to the lack of nutritional diversity, many consumers' diets are affecting their microbiome.
How can you maintain digestive health?
Ultra-processed foods have depleted essential nutrients that drive our microbiota. In order to balance the digestive system, nutrients are important as they help diversify and feed our bodies digestion. From carbohydrates, to vitamins, minerals, and more - your digestive system breaks down and absorbs nutrients from the products you consume, creating energy and repairing cells.
When it comes to nourishing your microbiome we put together our 6 favorite ways you can easily maintain digestive health:
1.) Diversity is key! Soil based polyphenols play a huge role with your microbiome and overall health. These organisms, found in fulvic, give the protection and support the body needs. Fulvic acid is rich in various minerals and nutrients, making it easy for your body to recognize and absorb. This helps improve digestion and balance your immune system. Infused with fulvic, blk. reduces inflammation and provides optimal nutrient absorption to keep your gut thriving!
2.) FIBER, FIBER, FIBER! Fiber gives your gut the good bacteria it needs. When our bacteria breaks down fiber they create metabolic compounds, which have beneficial effects for the entire body. Including fiber rich foods in your diet, such as vegetables, grains, and fresh fruits, can naturally nourish gut bacteria. A good source of polyphenols provides your microbiome with the support it craves.
3.) Getting quality sleep. Hit that snooze button - getting enough sleep helps our bodies feel their best, including the microbiome. Inadequate sleep can negatively influence the diversity and number of bacteria in the gut. An optimal amount of sleep ranges from 7-9 hours, however some people may need variations of sleep. Always listen to your body.
4.) Stay hydrated!!! When it comes to good gut bacteria it's all about balance. Drinking lots of water has shown to have a beneficial effect on the mucosal lining of the intestines. Staying hydrated is an easy way to promote a healthy microbiome, but when you have the right kind of water it makes all the difference. Good gut health starts with good water. Keep it simple stay hydrated with blk.
5.) Eat fermented foods. Foods that contain live microbes such as yogurt, tempeh, and kimchi are extremely healthy for both you and your microbiome. There are also many other options that are a great source of good bacteria to ensure you're getting enough live cultures to keep your gut thriving.
6.) Move that body! Our microbes love a good workout! It has been shown that people who partake in more physical activity have microbiomes that are more healthy and diverse. It also helps destress the body which can positively impact your gut health.
blk. water: How does it support your digestive health?
blk. features over 77+ trace minerals that help calm the digestive tract and improve the gut flora. This can lead to better nutrient absorption, increased digestive enzyme activity, and fewer gut-related issues.
Unlike other supplements, fulvic acid works with your body at a cellular level to promote healthy cell growth and increase the bioavailability of the nutrients you consume. By adding fulvic to your diet, your body will extract more of the minerals from the foods you eat as well as other supplements. When you give your body a variety of sources, there's a much better chance that multiple minerals will be absorbed - leading to a better balance overall. An optimal environment for your microbiomes involves powerful ingredients that help support your overall health, from the immune system to your digestive system.
