Every person’s gut microbiome is unique, adapts over time, and is impacted by the lifestyle choices a person makes. From the moment we are born, our gut microbiome starts to be populated by gut bacteria that impacts just about every aspect of our being from our mental health to our immunity levels.
As your body changes and grows, your gut health’s necessities also adapt. Change in environmental factors, hormones, bodily reactions, and potential challenges all occur as one ages. Today, we will be discussing the different ways to view gut health through the years, the potential changes from stage to stage, and the general recommendations that are the foundation to leading a healthy life regardless of your age.
Microbiome Milestones for Each Era of the Human Life and How They Affect One’s Digestive Health
From the moment we are born, our gut microbiome starts becoming populated with bacteria. During the first few years of human life, we are introduced to many substances that give the foundation to our gut health including prebiotics and probiotics. As we start to incorporate whole foods into our diet as we grow, we see a development in diversity for our gut microbiome.
The teenage years are accompanied by hormonal changes and new dietary habits that impact how our digestive tract functions. Hormone fluctuations can cause irritation and sensitivity in the digestive tract. These development-filled years also tend to be characterized with exposure to new dietary habits. Young teens might migrate to more processed foods due to their schedule or exposure which can work against the formation of a diverse and healthy microbiome.
As we enter adulthood, we often see more stability with our hormones and we tend to have a better handle on our eating habits; however, our digestive system does continue to evolve. Stress from career and family developments, lifestyle choices, and other potential factors such as pregnancy can all have an impact on our digestive tract.
The years following young adulthood can be characterized by new hormonal shifts such as menopause. This is often the period of life when people identify certain sensitivities to food such as a sensitivity to dairy. A slower metabolism can also mean that people find more complications with fast-meal options that tend to be filled with additives and saturated fats. A reduction in enzyme production means a lower ability to digest food as we once did (which is why a supplement for bloating with gut health enzymes is so essential).
In the final stages of life, we often see a decline in gut microbiome diversity which can impact nutrient absorption and immunity levels. In addition, many prescriptions that older individuals might be recommended from their physicians can have side effects pertaining to digestive issues.
It is important to understand the ways in which our age can progressively change our digestive tract in order to best support it as we navigate through life.
Factors That Could Impact The Status of A Person’s Digestive Health Depending on Their Age
There are many core moments that occur throughout the different stages of life. These moments tend to have an impact on our overall health.
Young adults tend to experience major life changes such as a shift in environment, dietary habits, and way of living–all that can impact their digestive health. For example, those who leave their parents home after high school tend to have to adapt to different living situations (college dorms, roommates, etc.) that can heavily impact their mental health, eating habits, and lifestyle choices. All of these outside factors impact their metabolism, gut microbiome, and can exacerbate digestive complications.
The next stage of life also brings its own complications. The early career stages of a person’s life tend to be accompanied by a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating choices. While this is not commonplace for everyone, it is a popular shift due to the way in which our lives become overcome by our jobs. A lack of movement can cause bloating, constipation, and irregular bowel movements as well as fatigue.
The added complexity of certain situations such as parenthood or elder care can add an extra layer of complication to our gut microbiome due to the added stress and lack of sleep that tends to accompany these situations. Lastly, the decline in activity that is natural as we age can also impact one’s digestive tract.
This being said, there are many foundational ways we can work to protect our gut against these vulnerabilities as we age. The best time to start is now–no matter your age. The earlier we begin, the better we will be at implementing these habits and help them become commonplace in our routines.
Tried and True Lifestyle Recommendations for Almost All Stages of A Person’s Life
Regardless of your age, there are those health principles that will always stand the test of time. Let’s dive into those.
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A well-balanced, nutritious forward diet - The food we consume truly makes us who we are. It impacts our digestive health, our mental health, and our energy levels. When it comes to maintaining a healthy digestive tract, you want to make sure that you are eating a diet filled with a variety of different foods to support a diverse microbiome, a diet filled with fiber, and a macronutrient-forward approach.
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Hydration - Water is essential during all walks of life. Water helps to ensure the strength of one’s gut lining, helps to keep bowel movements in check, and can reduce bloating caused by water retention.
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Movement - Exercise can help to stimulate the digestive tract and promote bowel movements. Since intense exercise cannot be expected during all periods of one’s life, it is important to note that low-impact exercise is just as effective. Walking, stretching, yoga, and cycling can be great ways to move your body.
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Stress Management - Stress is the root of so much pain in our bodies which is why we must learn to manage our stress levels. As you progress through life, try to find activities that your body positively reacts to.
These foundational habits can support digestive changes throughout all of life’s seasons!