What is the gut microbiome and why is it important for my health?
A big part of my role as a naturopath is helping clients support their gut health as a way of addressing the underlying causes of their symptoms.
We hear a lot about the gut microbiome, but what actually is it?
The gut microbiome is the community of microorganisms that lives in your gastrointestinal tract. Think of it as a living ecosystem made up of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes, all interacting with each other and with your body. When this ecosystem is balanced and diverse, it supports your immune system, digestion, metabolism and more. When it's out of balance, known as dysbiosis, you may notice symptoms like bloating, gas, pain or irregular bowel movements, and over time, this can have a downstream impact on your health.
It's not just about food
What you eat matters enormously, but so does how and when you eat. If you're stressed, your body is in sympathetic nervous system mode, preparing for a perceived threat. In that state, digestion is deprioritised. Sitting down, slowing down and actually chewing your food are simple but genuinely impactful habits.
Your gut and your mood are connected
Around 95% of serotonin, the chemical messenger that influences mood, sleep and digestion, is produced in the gut, a discovery largely credited to neurogastroenterologist Dr Michael Gershon. Supporting your gut microbiome is, in part, supporting your mental health too.
Simple ways to support your gut
Eat consciously. Take a deep breath before you eat. Sit down. Chew. Research, including a systematic review and meta-analysis found that chewing more is associated with reduced hunger and lower food intake. Stay at the table for a few minutes after finishing to let digestion begin.
Add variety. Pick a new vegetable, fruit or protein each week. If you're not eating legumes regularly, black beans, lentils, chickpeas and butter beans are affordable, fibre-rich additions that feed your microbiome.
Stay hydrated. Digestion depends on adequate fluid intake. An extra glass of water or herbal tea each day is a good place to start if you feel you're running low.
If you're looking for support with your gut health, I'd love to help.
As a Certified Paediatric Microbiome Clinician trained by Dr Brad Leech, I work with both adults and children. Where appropriate, I use functional microbiome testing via Microba to get a detailed picture of what's happening in your gut. Get in touch.
References
Gershon, M.D. (1998). The Second Brain. HarperCollins, New York.
Miquel-Kergoat, S., Azais-Braesco, V., Burton-Freeman, B., & Hetherington, M. M. (2015). Effects of chewing on appetite, food intake and gut hormones: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiology & Behavior, 151, 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.07.017
Microba. (2026). Understanding the gut microbiome. Retrieved from https://microba.com/practitioners/resources/clinical-resources/understanding-the-gut-microbiome-what-it-is-how-it-works-and-why-it-matters-in-clinical-care/