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A growing body of evidence suggests the gut microbiome, the trillions of organisms living in your digestive tract, has far-reaching effects on health.
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A study published in the journal Nature Medicine found specific microbes linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.
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Research links a more diverse gut microbiome with being more outgoing, and a less diverse microbiome with anxiety.
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Gut health also affects mental health, with one study finding that microbiome markers may be able to help diagnose depression.
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A study published in Cell found fungus in the gut can help the immune system produce antibodies to fight fungal infections — at least in mice.
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Other molecules found in the gut can disrupt health and drive autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, suggests a study published in Science Immunology.
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By disrupting the immune system, poor health gut could also make COVID-19 sufferers more susceptible to long-term health impacts.
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Fortunately, diet has been found to have a bigger effect on gut health than genes, and exercise also has an impact.
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Researchers recommend eating plenty of fiber by way of fruits and veggies and adding natural probiotics like sauerkraut and yogurt for optimal gut health.
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