Gut Science Definitions

Defining gut health - not as easy as you might think. Over 4 million Instagram posts have the #guthealth hashtag, but what does it actually mean?

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a long passageway that connects the mouth to the anus, but studies on #guthealth are often focused on the lower GI tract (the small and large intestine).

‘Health’ is, as defined by the preamble of the World Health Organization constitution, a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Five objective and testable criteria have been proposed for having a healthy gut

– Effective digestion and absorption of food

– Absence of gastrointestinal illness

– Normal and stable intestinal microbiota

– Effective immune status

– Status of well-being

Curious or confused? Stay tuned for the next #gutscience by #SmartHerbals instalment.

#sciencefacts #colonhealth #SmartBiotech

sources: Bischoff, SC. (2011) BMC Medicine 9: 24; Preamble to the WHO constitution

Image from Adobe Stock - Aliaksandr Marko