2020-04-01 Woman\'s Day

86 APRIL 2020 / WOMANSDAY.COM

Health / HEALTHY BELLY, HEALTHY BODY

TRY TO

RELAX

“Science now shows

that the brain and

the gut can talk to

each other,” says

Ghannoum. “So if

you’re depressed

or anxious, that

can cause an

imbalance in your

gut microorganisms.

Likewise, if you

have an imbalance, gut microbes can

secrete molecules that affect your levels of

serotonin,” a chemical in the body thought

to regulate mood. Meditation, yoga, or just

going for a walk can help get your mind and

gut back in sync, he says.

Listen to

YOUR BODY

If you’re struggling with any of these

uncomfortable symptoms more than once

a week, it’s a good idea to schedule a

visit with your doc to make sure a more

serious problem isn’t lurking.

Beyond eating the foods already

mentioned, you can help your

microbiome flourish by consuming

certain things and avoiding

others (yes, you can have some

cheeses, but sorry, no soda!).

Bloating

It can be a tip-off to a condition like

Crohn’s disease or celiac disease.

Constipation

or diarrhea

These can be symptoms of irritable

bowel syndrome (IBS), anemia, or a

vitamin B 12 deficiency.

Abdominal pain

If it is new and persistent, it could be

a sign of a gallbladder issue or, more

rarely, pancreatic or ovarian cancer.

Eat Smart

Apples

Beans

Aged low-

fat cheese

Tea and

coffee

Whole

milk

GUT FRIENDS

GUT FOES

4

Fermented foods

(like sauerkraut,

kimchi, and kefir)

Soda, sugary

beverages, and

diet drinks

Red wine

Red meat

GE

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