Your gut, often called the body’s second brain, plays a pivotal role in digestion and overall well-being. It starts from the mouth and extends through the entire gastrointestinal tract. A well-functioning gut not only aids in digestion but also supports your immune system and mental health. Dr. Alex Liew from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur highlights several critical aspects of maintaining it.
The digestive system begins with the mouth and extends through the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the gut. A healthy gut supports digestion, boosts the immune system, and contributes to mental well-being. However, an unhealthy gut can lead to issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), affecting approximately 15% of Malaysians.
Did you know, the Malaysian dietary habits, particularly high carbohydrate consumption – let’s not go into details of the menu, giving you a piece of mind which can negatively affect gut health. Antibiotic use can also disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Dr. Liew points out that many Malaysians neglect their health, leading to an unhealthy gut and associated problems like leaky gut, diarrhea, and constipation.
So how leh, to have a good gut? The answer is: A Balanced Diet. Try to incorporate fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Let’s talk about Prebiotics, which is found in fiber, serve as food for probiotics, beneficial bacteria in the gut. And what is Probiotics? This includes probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kimchi in your diet. Gamsahabnida 😊
Probiotic supplements which were also suggested by Dr. Liew is good and beneficial in adding into our diet. A few listed probiotic supplements below can be a start as a guide to include in our checklist:
- BlackMores Digestive Enzymes 60s, which was formulated using microbial and plant-derived enzymes which is more stable and active across a wider pH range. It contains 6 enzymes specially formulated for better food digestion and suitable for vegetarians!
- MegaLive Floramax Pro 2X45s, this is to restore the normal balance of microbial populations in the intestine. It produced and preserved key nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants and same time to Elimate the toxic components form food.
- LAC Probiotic Lemon 15gx30s: It boost the gastrointestinal and digestive health and absorption of nutrients from diet. This also help to eliminate tummy upset bloating and pain constipation and diarrhea.
- Lactofit Probiotic Gold: It helps to maintain a digestive balance and works to promote the growth of lactic acid bacteria. It also suppresses pathogenic bacteria and promotes regularity.
- BioLife Adult Pre&Pro 10×2.5g: This Synbiotics would be suitable for senior citizens because it contains clinically-tested probiotics and also 2g of prebiotic and natural source of fiber.
The Gut Health Triangle
Achieving optimal gut health involves balancing diet, exercise, and mental well-being. This holistic approach ensures a harmonious gut microbiome, contributing to your overall health and vitality. For more detailed advice and personalized recommendations, consult a Watsons pharmacist for tips or reference of products that may suits you and also considering a consultation with a healthcare provider like Dr. Alex Liew at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
