How Can I Correct My Gut Health?

Video: It’s Time for My Colonoscopy and I Dread It. I’ve Heard There Are Alternatives — Can I Do That Instead? Facebook Twitter LinkedIn How can I improve my gut health?

As I always tell my patients, “Aging is combination of inflammation and isolation." Our gut’s health encompasses both of these issues. When your gut is experiencing inflammation, it means

that the different microorganisms living in your digestive tract — also known as your microbiome — are not in balance. This can trigger issues like diarrhea, constipation and bloating.

In turn, if you’re hesitant to go out and socialize because you’re afraid you’ll end up in a lot of discomfort or constantly running to the bathroom, then your gut problems will lead to

isolation. This is why it’s so important to maintain good gut health.

Let’s look at how you can do it.

You know the old saying, “You are what you eat”? Although many of us are paying attention to our diets, in general, our population is eating more processed foods. These kinds of foods are

complicated for our gut to digest. Processed foods are low in fiber, high in sugar, and contain lots of preservatives, artificial colors and sweeteners. If you’re eating a lot of processed

foods, chances are your microbiome is off-balance.

A few years ago, I read a study that made a strong connection between processed foods and gut inflammation. Research has proven that when our diets are high in processed foods, we’re at risk

for chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular conditions. Newer research has found gut bacteria is connected to both memory and mental health.

Adam B. Rosenbluth, M.D., is an internist and cardiologist in New York City. Each Monday, he’ll weigh in on your questions about how to make your body work better for you. His AARP book will

be published in 2027. Join in on the conversation on social media @dradamrosenbluth to learn to move the needle on your personal health in an achievable way.

Email your questions for Dr. Adam to dradam@aarp.org

You want to eat a well-balanced diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. These foods are high in fiber, which is particularly important for healthy gut

bacteria. It’s what keeps your bowels regular. In my experience, people tend to get more constipated as they age. That’s why if you go to the grocery store or pharmacy, you’ll see aisles of

products devoted to keeping our bowels regulated.

Another way to balance your microbiome is by eating and drinking fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, miso, pickles and apple cider vinegar. You might be surprised to learn

that foods like cottage cheese and yogurt are made from milk that’s fermented.