Why Gut Health Is Important For The Family

Did you know that 70% of our immune system is based in the gut?

In Erceflora’s event entitled, “The Great GutVenture: A Journey to the Center of Overall Well Being,” mommy influencers Chesca Kramer and Isabelle Daza, alongside Pediatric Gastroenterologist Dr. Felizardo Gatcheco, underscored the important role of gut health in the family’s overall wellness. The event highlighted how maintaining a healthy gut can boost immunity, enhance mental clarity, and improve overall quality of life, especially for parents and their children.

What parents need to know about the gut

The gut is more than just digestion. Dr. Gatcheco further elaborated on the aforementioned statistic, saying, “Considering 70% of our immune cells originate from the gut, we only do not take care of our gut for digestion and absorption of food. Equally important is protecting our immunity.” This simply means that our gut does not just digest our food, but it can be considered a cornerstone of our immune defense.

We know the gut as the organ that processes our food into nutrients, and eliminates waste. But we also need to know that it also plays host to a complex community of microorganisms known as the gut microbiome. These are beneficial or good bacteria that are essential for preventing harmful pathogens from entering the bloodstream and regulating immune responses.

Moreover, there is also the concept of the gut-brain connection, which underscores the profound impact of gut health on an individual’s mental and emotional well being. The gut, which is also often referred to as the “second brain,” has a vast network of neurons that communicate directly with the brain. Actress and mom of three Isabelle Daza, shared her children’s improved focus and mood, “When our gut is healthy, especially for our kids, they’re able to think better, focus better, and are less moody.” Dr. Gatcheco explained this, saying, “The gut and brain are closely linked. Maintaining a healthy gut can help improve mood, mental clarity, and cognitive function.

What can parents do to keep their family’s gut healthy

Now that we know how important our gut is, here are a few simple tips on how parents can keep their family’s gut healthy:

Maintain a daily gut health routine

Parents can consider incorporating probiotics into their family’s diet or daily routine to support gut health. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help maintain a balanced gut microbiome. Dr. Gatcheco emphasized the role of probiotics in supporting gut health,saying, “If you want to maintain good health, especially of your gut, you need to support it with probiotics.” He highlighted the importance of Bacillus Clausii, a probiotic strain that helps defend and restore gut health.

Food that contain probiotics include: kefir (fermented milk drink that looks like a thin yogurt), yogurt, cultured buttermilk, fermented milk, frozen yogurt, tempeh, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, fermented fish, cottage cheese, apple cider vinegar, olives, pickled onions, pickled beets, and pickled cucumbers. Cereals, cheeses, and probiotic drinks are non-fermented foods that may have probiotics.

Parents can also consider taking supplements such as Erceflora, which now has two variants made with the same Bacillus Clausii. Erceflora Gut Defense is recommended for daily use to maintain a strong gut barrier and enhance gut flora, while Erceflora Gut Restore is intended for use during gut infections to restore the natural balance of the gut microbiome. Both variants will be available this month in leading drug stores and ecommerce sites.

Chesca Kramer shared her daily routine for maintaining gut health, “I take probiotics daily because I believe that a healthy gut is essential for overall well being.” While Isabelle shared how probiotics gives her peace of mind, “When I have them [children] take probiotics daily, I feel more at ease knowing their stomach is lined with the correct bacteria. My son, despite being active and often coming into contact with various germs, maintains good health thanks to this routine.”

Promote a balanced diet

A balanced diet rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals supports a healthy gut. Aside from trying to include prebiotic and fermented foods in their family’s diet, parents should also make the effort to limit intake of processed and sugary foods that can affect gut balance. Chesca shared, “I make sure that I eat properly and don’t overindulge. A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining gut health.”

Encourage healthy hygiene practices

Teaching children good hygiene can also help to protect their gut health by minimizing exposure to harmful pathogens. This includes washing hands regularly, thoroughly cleaning fruits and vegetables, and using antibiotics only when necessary and as recommended by a doctor.

Monitor and manage stress

Stress can also impact gut health, so it’s important for parents and kids to manage their stress, via relaxation techniques (deep breathing, meditation, and yoga), physical activity (regular exercise), and creating a calm environment (by fostering a supportive home environment where the whole family feels safe and relaxed).

Be aware of your gut

Dr. Gatcheco also stressed that understanding how the gut influences overall health can empower parents to make informed decisions. “A balanced gut microbiome is the foundation of holistic well-being,” he said, encouraging parents to be proactive in their approach to gut health.

Handle everyday gut challenges

Illnesses, antibiotic use, and even dietary changes can affect our gut, so it’s important for parents to remember and focus on keeping it healthy. Isabelle shared how she manages her children’s gut health, especially during times when they are more exposed to germs or dietary changes. “When kids are active and come into contact with various germs,ensuring they have a strong gut defense [with the help of probiotics] is essential.”

Keeping our gut healthy is not just about supporting digestion, it plays a critical role in our immunity and overall wellness. For parents, focusing on gut health both for ourselves and our children is an important component of a holistic approach to health. As Dr. Gatcheco concluded, “Taking care of our gut health is not optional but a necessity for overall well-being.”

Read here to learn how antibiotics could have unwanted long lasting effects.