Habits in Your Middle Age That Are Destroying Your Gut Health

Blogs25 Sep 2024

We all know that gut health is an important aspect of our body that requires attention and action. However, more often than not, we don’t know how to make it better or what destroys gut health! As you enter your middle age, it’s time to improve your gut health . If you are wondering how then we are here to guide you!

In this article, we’ll focus on all the bad gut health habits of middle-aged people that could be leading to possible damage to your gut health and what you can do about it.

Gut Health and Its Importance

Gut health commonly refers to the function and balance of microorganisms that coexist and thrive in our digestive tract. A mix of good and bad intestinal bacteria, these microorganisms are responsible for a variety of functions such as nutrient absorption and supporting our immune function! This means that a healthy gut is crucial for our well-being as it holds a great influence on necessary bodily functions like digestion, mood and metabolism.

Some signs of bad gut health are poor digestion symptoms, weakened immune systems, and chronic inflammation. It has also been linked to several diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. As we age, maintaining a healthy gut becomes even more critical as it can impact our energy levels, weight management, and susceptibility to age-related conditions. Hence, understanding the habits that affect our gut health is crucial for healthy ageing.

Bad Gut Health Habits in the Middle Age That Negatively Affect You

1. A Lack of Diversity in Your Meals

What do we mean by diversity? We mean that it’s essential to choose a variety of nutritious and wholesome foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fermented items and more so that a new and eclectic mix of good gut bacteria exists in your gut! Having the same 4 dishes on repeat that are devoid of many wholesome elements can increase the chances of lacking vital nutrients in the long run.

2. No physical activity

Yes, we know you’ve heard this before but we have to say it again! Little to no physical activity and leading a sedentary lifestyle might give you time to focus on other aspects of life, but it has drastic effects on your overall health and gut health.

A 2017 study found a link between exercise and the gut microbiome. It suggested that exercise could be an environmental factor that leads to the proliferation of microbes in the gut, possibly leading to improved gut health.

3. Overuse of Antibiotics

Imagine if your gut health was a thriving lush green lawn. Suddenly, due to a pest issue or a chemical, the grass dies, leaving behind a greying black disaster. This is similar to what happens with your gut flora when you ingest antibiotics. So, ensure that you check with your physician before consuming antibiotics.

4. Inadequate sleep

A low amount of sleep or severe sleep issues is associated with obesity, heart conditions and more. Additionally, sleep deprivation leads to a disruption of the circadian rhythm which may impair gut health. This may be because circadian rhythms are the natural way our bodies digest and absorb nutrition. Disruption of this rhythm might hamper natural functions and impact gut health.

5. Excessive Stress

Stress is no easy thing to beat and keep under control, especially during middle age when there could be multiple stressors affecting you regularly. Stress symptoms have several negative effects on the body such as headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, chest pain, stomach problems and a weaker immune function among others.

Stress may even correlate with gut flora as one study found when they studied a group of 75 students facing academic stress and high cortisol levels. It seemed that during this study, the distress and digestive symptoms they faced resulted in a decrease in intestinal bacteria. This might indicate that unhealthy stress levels could impact your gut too!

Tips to Improve Gut Health

Adding more Probiotics:

Probiotics are good microbes that can improve your gut flora and keep it healthy. 

Don’t forget Prebiotics:

Prebiotics are the food products that promote the growth of good gut bacteria. Add them to your meals and see how your gut transforms! Some examples of prebiotic foods are garlic, bananas, onions, Jerusalem artichokes, oats, asparagus etc. 

Prioritise sleep:

Look up techniques to sleep better or consult a professional if you think that you require help. Try soothing music, comfortable bedding, and avoiding caffeine among other tips to reduce your sleep issues. 

Try stress-relieving methods:

Exercise, meditation, journaling, and other stress-reducing and wellness methods may help with your stress issues. Doing them regularly could help you control them and boost your gut health.

Conclusion

In our middle age, it becomes even more essential to take care of our gut health to prevent poor digestion symptoms and support healthy ageing. By understanding the habits that can harm our gut health and incorporating tips to improve it, we can maintain a balance of good gut bacteria and intestinal bacteria, crucial for overall well-being.

Start focusing on your gut health from today, with Right Shift by your side. We champion healthy ageing and all of its aspects, including a healthy gut so make sure to read our expert articles on this topic if you want to know more. You can also explore our quality-of-life assessment and free meal plans (that are scientifically designed for several health objectives) so that you can take charge of your gut and come out glorious!