When we eat to satisfy hunger, we fill our stomach with nutrients to meet the body’s demand for energy and with micronutrients for all the chemical reactions that keep organs and muscles functioning throughout the body. A significant number of these nutrients are put to use right away to keep the gut healthy and intact.

Just as there are certain key nutrients like amino acids to support muscle, there are specific nutrients that the gut requires to perform its functions. It’s helpful to think about how the gut is designed and the work it must do to understand optimal nutrition for the gut.

Nutrition for a Healthy Gut

We have learned from situations in which people receive their nutrition by intravenous feeding (parenteral nutrition) that the gut thrives on this exposure to all the components of digestion and, like muscle, will atrophy if it is not “exercised.” Nutritional fiber from food is a very important part of this mechanical aspect of digestion and gut health. Not only does fiber provide bulk to support healthy bowel movements, but it is also an equally important source of fermentable fuel for the billions of healthy bacteria in our gut.

We are just beginning to understand the multitude of ways in which the gut microbiome impacts not just gut health but overall immune function and systemic health. Almost 70% of our immune system cells live in or around the gut. Beneficial gut bacteria also help manufacture vitamins (B12, K, B6, B5, B3, folate, and biotin), enhance absorption of minerals, fight off pathogens, digest food, and metabolize drugs.

Anyone who has suffered gastrointestinal distress can appreciate how vital an intact, healthy gut is to our overall health. Functions of the gut require fuel like glucose and glutamine to support the transit of nutrients into the blood and the replenishment of cells damaged in the line of duty. Fiber and foods that support the establishment of healthy bacteria are also crucial to optimal gut function, which in turn keeps us healthy and happy. So, eat up!