Concerned about Excess Weight? Pay Attention to Your GI Tract

Very often, a person can look in the mirror and feel deep dissatisfaction with their appearance. The reason is often simple: excess weight. A protruding belly, sagging sides, thickened hip area — all of these factors negatively impact self-perception. This marks the beginning of a long and challenging journey towards weight loss. People go on diets, engage in physical activities, but frequently overlook another important aspect — the health of their gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

There’s nothing surprising about the direct link between the gastrointestinal tract and hunger. After all, it’s through the GIT that the sensation of hunger is satisfied. The hormone ghrelin is responsible for hunger, and surprisingly, it’s also produced in the gastrointestinal tract, specifically in the stomach lining.

The connection is direct. If a person’s GIT is compromised, especially when they start ignoring stomach disorders, the cells responsible for producing ghrelin become damaged. The hormone begins to enter the bloodstream in larger quantities, making it difficult to satisfy the feeling of hunger.

Furthermore, the intestinal microbiota is another crucial participant in this process. The microorganisms that make up the gut microbiota have a direct impact on digestion, nutrient absorption, and food metabolism. Moreover, these microbes are responsible for numerous other functions, allowing them to regulate body weight, metabolism, hunger sensation, and bile acid processe³.

Considering these intricate interactions, it’s imperative to check the functioning of the GIT and adjust it if someone is genuinely committed to shedding weight.

Key principles of a healthy lifestyle, such as proper nutrition and physical activity, significantly influence the GIT and, consequently, weight. A diet rich in fiber and probiotics can promote healthy GIT function and maintain a normal weight. If the intake of probiotics and fiber is insufficient through dietary sources, they can be supplemented with vitamins and additives.

However, what should be done if dietary and activity habits are normalized, but the sensation of hunger persists? Nutritionist Olga Ugrumova provides the following simple tips to cope with hunger:

• Learn to distinguish between emotional and physical hunger.
• Normalize sleep patterns and pay special attention to getting sufficient rest.
• Try substituting food with water when hunger isn’t too intense (often, a lack of water is disguised as hunger).
• Diversify food with natural spices and seasonings while eliminating substances that hinder satisfying hunger (salt, sugar, sugar substitutes).

It’s important to remember that instant results are unlikely. The body will need time to restore hormonal balance and learn how to respond properly to hunger sensations.

Good GIT health and a normal weight are interconnected. Keep an eye on your stomach and intestines, and your shape will pleasantly surprise you!