From mood and memory to inflammation and performance, understanding gut health is one of the new frontiers of study in health, particularly women’s health. 

Sara unpacks this topic with Dina Griffin, MS, RDN, CSSD, CISSN, METS II, and founder of The Nutrition Mechanic. Dina and Sara discuss the concept of gut health, which has expanded beyond just bowel movements and colon cancer, to include the many ways the gut affects our overall health and well-being.

Topics in their discussion include:

• What do we mean by "gut health"?
• Signs and symptoms of poor gut health
• Why it’s hard to diagnose and treat gut health issues
• The unique gut health challenges women face
• Why your birth method (vaginal or C-section) may impact your gut health in adulthood
• The difference between a probiotic and a prebiotic and when we may need them
• How hormonal changes impact gut microbiome
• The impact the exercise stress can put on the gut, potentially leading to gut issues
• How to manage gut health challenges during training and racing
• When to include more or less fiber in your diet
• Best practices to improve gut health and strategies for introducing more fiber-rich foods without causing discomfort

Because gut health and the microbiome are such complex subjects, and because multiple factors affect the health of the gut, there is no “one size fits all” solution to addressing gut health issues; however, Dina emphasizes consumption of fiber-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and probiotic foods like kimchi and sauerkraut to feed the microbiome.

To learn more about Dina Griffin and her work, follow Nutrition Mechanic.