Ixcela

Maintaining the integrity of the gut is critical to maintaining optimal health. A majority of our gut health comes from our nutrition and resting our minds, but there are ways to improve gastrointestinal fitness through exercise. Proper stretching, resistance training, and high-intensity interval training are three great workout routines to keep in mind when looking to improve (and maintain) a healthy gut and stay regular.

More than 80% of the immune system lives in the gut, so it is no surprise that the two have a strong connection. Maintaining gut health allows our bodies to fight infection and avoid sickness. Daily exercise is a key way to maintain a healthy gut and keep you from getting sick. (1) Even if my clients have a small bout of sickness (such as a stomach ache or a head cold), I recommend that they continue to work out. The only time I would recommend resting instead of working out is when you have a fever and/or signs of the flu.

It’s no secret that stress takes a serious toll on us mentally and physically. While there are various external factors that impact everyday stress (family, work, sleep, relationships), it is important to note the incredibly positive impact that exercising has on stress. According to the Mayo Clinic, physical activity allows our brains to release endorphins, shed emotional stress, improve sleep, and lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression. (2) To achieve this, I recommend that my clients partake in some form of physical activity for at least thirty minutes every day.

The relationship between the gut and the brain, also known as the gut-brain axis, is extremely important and something that deserves biohackers’ attention. You can’t reach your full health potential by ignoring the gut-brain axis. Not only does the gut affect the brain, but our mental health affects the gut. Improving gut health and taking steps, like exercise, to promote brain health reduces stress and combats the negative effects of stress on our microbiome. Research has shown time and time again that exercise is beneficial for stress management and is a natural mood booster, making it indirectly beneficial to the health of the gut microbiome as well.

The gut microbiome plays a critical part in digestion and absorption of food. If we aren’t digesting or absorbing nutrients properly, we won’t be adequately fueled with energy for our everyday lives, let alone for physical activity. While much of this is achieved through nutrition, fitness also plays a part. By committing to cardiovascular exercise at least six days per week—a mix of high-intensity and varied-intensity training—our bodies will begin to improve how they utilize fuel for energy. This results in better workouts, reduced heart disease, and overall better health.

Biohacking is a whole-body approach to health. Exercise and the gut are just one of the important relationships that affect someone’s overall health. Nutrition and mindfulness are also important, but where the three come together is the health and composition of our gut bacteria. The gut plays an important role in every aspect of health and might be trying to tell us something.

We can all decide to exercise every day, eat more vegetables, or practice mindfulness, but the best approach is to use the science available to you. When we are able to understand what is happening inside our bodies—and the gut—we are better able to achieve results on the outside. Using Ixcela’s technology, you can assess how well your gut is functioning and prioritize the lifestyle changes that will help you achieve your goals.

1. Nagamatsu, Lindsay S, et al. “Resistance Training Promotes Cognitive and Functional Brain Plasticity in Seniors with Probable Mild Cognitive Impairment.” Archives of Internal Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 23 Apr. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3514552/.
2. Monda, Vincenzo, et al. “Exercise Modifies the Gut Microbiota with Positive Health Effects.” Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5357536/.
3. Monda, Vincenzo, et al. “Exercise Modifies the Gut Microbiota with Positive Health Effects.” Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5357536/.
4. “Exercise and Stress: Get Moving to Manage Stress.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 8 Mar. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469.
5. Morowitz, Michael J, et al. “Contributions of Intestinal Bacteria to Nutrition and Metabolism in the Critically Ill.” The Surgical Clinics of North America, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3144392/.