This Harvard-trained gastroenterologist wants you to know these 5 things about your gut

Gut health is about digestion. It also describes the core of your immunity, mental clarity, and well-being. In a recent Instagram post, Harvard-trained gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi shared 5 key things he wishes more people knew about their gut. Here’s what Dr Sethi says, and how to look after your gut properly.

Despite being one of the body’s most complex systems, the gut doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. But according to Dr Sethi, it’s literally your second brain. With trillions of bacteria working behind the scenes, your gut helps manage everything from immunity to hormone production.

When it’s off-balance, you feel it, whether in your skin, sleep, mood, or digestion. Here are 5 things Dr Sethi wants you to know about your gut:

Also read | Boost gut health: 10 healthy habits to prevent bloating, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome

• Antibiotics don’t just target the bad bacteria: Antibiotics wipe out the good bacteria too, cautions Dr Sethi. After any course, you should work on rebuilding your gut, not just by taking a probiotic, but by nourishing your body properly.

• Probiotics aren’t magic, they need the right food: Probiotics only work if you feed them fibre, says Dr Sethi. Think of them as seeds, and fibre-rich foods like fruit, oats, and veg are the soil they need to grow.

• Your gut produces most of your serotonin: “Your gut makes 90 perccent of your serotonin,” he notes. That means the health of your digestive system can have a direct impact on your mood, anxiety, and even sleep.

• The gut lining renews every 3–5 days, but only if nourished: Your gut lining is constantly regenerating. “But this only happens properly when the body’s getting the nutrients it needs,” says Dr Sethi. That means a balanced diet, not extreme restrictions.

• Gut issues are often linked to low vitamin D and magnesium: These two nutrients are vital for both immunity and gut function. Deficiencies are often visible in patients with gut problems. A quick blood test can help you stay on top of it.