Taking care of our gut health is essential for our overall health and well-being.

(Read to the bottom for a cheeky discount code!)

Hey there, lovely ladies!

I’m Alana, a qualified Nutritionist (BSc. MSc), and I’m thrilled to be here to chat with you about how vital it is to take care of our gut health, particularly as we move into the colder Autumn and Winter months.

I’m based in sunny Nelson, New Zealand, with my husband, two kiddos, and my fur baby Charlie. I own Aglow, a health and wellness business that specialises in natural superfood powders to nourish and provide self-care from within. But don’t worry, I’ll tell you more about that in a bit!

Onto our gut….

The gut, also known as the gastrointestinal tract or digestive system, is where food goes after we eat it. It includes the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and other organs that help us break down and absorb nutrients from our food. Think of it as the body's own personal food processor! However, the gut is more than just a simple digestive system; it also plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being.

The gut houses millions of microorganisms known as the gut biome. This sensitive system needs to be nourished to stay healthy and in balance so we can feel our best! This biome plays an essential role in food digestion, but believe it or not, the gut has numerous functions in the body. An imbalance in the gut biome can impact much more than just digestion.

Did you know about these four gut connections?

Gut Health and Energy

When our gut is in excellent health, our body can digest and absorb more nutrients to produce more energy from the food. The gut also produces neurotransmitters that play a part in regulating energy levels, like serotonin and dopamine. However, if the gut is unhealthy, these neurotransmitters can be produced at imbalanced levels, leading to fatigue.

2. Gut Health and Mood

The gut-brain connection is complex, but if the gut is unhealthy, inflammation can occur, leading to an imbalance of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. For example, over 90% of Serotonin is produced and stored in the gut. These neurotransmitters affect mood, alertness and sleep, so if produced at incorrect levels, can result in low mood, low energy/feeling flat, and anxiousness.

3. Gut Health and Immune Function

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the immune system. It helps the immune system to distinguish between harmful pathogens and beneficial microorganisms. When the gut is healthy, the immune system is better equipped to respond to potential infections. Also, Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by certain gut bacteria help maintain a healthy gut lining, reduce inflammation, and support immune function.

4. Gut Health and Immune Function

The gut microbiome plays a significant role in oestrogen regulation, and an imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to oestrogen dominance. Signs of Oestrogen dominance include headaches, weight gain, heavy/painful periods, water retention, and mood swings. Additionally, gut health can impact insulin sensitivity, thyroid function, and cortisol production, all of which are crucial for hormonal balance.

So taking care of our gut health is essential for our overall health and well-being.

From energy levels to immune function, our gut plays a crucial role in many aspects of our health. And with winter approaching, it's even more important to support our gut health to maintain our health and mood over the colder months, where natural dips occur. While a balanced diet is key, full of whole foods, fibre, and probiotics (and limiting things like caffeine and alcohol), sometimes we need extra support. That's where Aglow comes in - our natural superfood powders are specifically designed by me, with gut health in mind, providing a convenient and effective way to nourish and support our gut health from within:

Aglow Product Range

· Our collagen powder range is rich in the main protein and amino acids found in the gut lining, which helps to keep it strengthened and healthy to prevent inflammation and repair damage.

· Our greens powders contains plant-based fibre to support natural detoxification processes, and a good amount of plant-based antioxidants to prevent inflammation and cell damage.

· Our pea protein powders are easy to digest and gentle on the stomach being lactose and gluten-free. They also contain prebiotic fibre to feed good healthy bacteria and five strains of probiotics that introduce beneficial bacteria into our gut.

As a special treat for being part of Jane’s Community, you can get 20% off your Aglow order by using the code GUTLOVE on our website www.aglow.co.nz.

Aglow’s product range: try now with our exclusive member’s code for 20% off! See above this image.

So let's take care of our gut health together ladies, and give our bodies the love and nourishment they deserve!

Alana xo

4 Facts About Gut Health