The Gut-Heart Connection
The heart represents love and is vital to keeping us alive. To support heart health, we must focus on nourishing the gut with gut-loving nutrients to repair and replenish it, ultimately benefiting the heart. As Hippocrates said, “all disease begins in the gut.” At GutVantage, we believe this is where positive changes should start for overall body health.
Feed Your Gut to Fill Your Heart
“Trust your gut when it comes to matters of the heart” is a principle I live by—and science backs it up. Research shows that an imbalance in the gut-heart axis, from overgrowth of “bad” gut microbes, can contribute to coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries, narrowing them and raising blood pressure).
Specific gut bacteria produce a metabolite called butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid essential for gut balance. Butyrate slows atherosclerosis progression and nourishes colon cells. Supporting gut bacteria to produce butyrate ensures colon cells stay healthy, highlighting the gut’s vital role in heart health.
2 Easy Ways to Increase Gut & Heart Health
To increase butyrate-producing bacteria, we first need to increase good gut microbes. Here are two effective ways:
- Increase PRObiotic-rich foods – live bacteria that replenish the gut.
- Raw Sauerkraut – 1 tbsp in your salad
- Plain Kefir – take a shot after dinner
- Plain Yogurt – 1 cup in a smoothie
- Kimchi – ¼ cup with steamed rice
- Cottage Cheese – ¼ cup on toast with veggies
- Increase PREbiotic-rich foods – indigestible fibers that feed good gut bacteria.
- Apples – snack with almond butter (helps blood sugar)
- Onions – add to dishes (like our cashew cream pasta recipe)
- Green Banana – use in our banana treat recipe) with honey/maple syrup
- Asparagus – baked as a side
- Garlic – ½ clove in 2-egg scramble
Taking care of your own health allows you to fully support and love others. Prioritizing self-care helps you show up for those you love.