Why I’m So Excited About Poop
Most people get a little grossed out by poop.
Me? Lately, this topic has me more excited than a pig in mud.
As an Integrative GP, I’ve been doing a lot of upskilling in the area of gut health and the Gut Microbiome. And, I’ll admit, I’ve become a little enthusiastic about what most people want to “flush and forget”. In fact, whenever a patient’s stool microbiome report lands in my inbox, there’s a good chance I’ll stop what I’m doing and open it immediately. I have been known to pause an episode of Elsbeth on Paramount+ to check an incoming Microbiome report. My family may be starting to question my priorities…
But there’s a good reason for my enthusiasm.
The more we learn about the gut, the more we realise it’s not just about digestion. While gut health is important for people experiencing symptoms such as bloating, reflux, constipation, diarrhoea or abdominal pain, we’re also discovering that the gut microbiome may influence many aspects of our health, including metabolism, immune function, inflammation, cardiovascular health, and conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune diseases and endometriosis.
What I find most exciting is that gut health isn’t just relevant for people who are unwell. It matters to all of us. Whether you’re managing a chronic health condition, wanting to improve your energy levels, or simply trying to optimise your health, your gut is one of the foundations worth paying attention to. I’ve even done my own microbiome testing and there were definitely a few interesting surprises in the results. It was a good reminder that I needed to tweak a few things.
Here are some handy tips to support your gut health wherever you are on your health journey:
- Eating a Mediterranean-style, plant-based, whole-food diet and limiting ultra-processed foods.
- Aiming for 40+ different plant and whole foods each week. Vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices and whole grains all count.
- Eating the rainbow – different coloured foods support different groups of beneficial gut microbes.
- Including plenty of vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds.
- Not forgetting fruit! It’s packed with fibre and beneficial plant compounds. One tip: best to eat those following a meal and not as a stand-alone snack.
- Spending more time outdoors.
- Prioritising good-quality sleep.
- Exercising regularly.
- Managing stress as best you can.
If you’re curious about your gut health, whether because of symptoms, a chronic health condition, or simply because you’d like to optimise your wellbeing, I’d love to help you explore it.
To make an appointment with Dr Marina McPherson, Integrative GP, please call 0421 144 756, or visit our online bookings.
Dr Marina works at RIH Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and by telehealth on Fridays.
