Americans do not feel well. A recent survey, conducted on behalf of Doctor’s Best of 2,000 men and women found that the average American only feels “fully healthy” for just 19 days out of the month. And 51% of respondents have suffered from recurring health issues that have lasted for 6 months or longer. What’s more, gut issues are contributing to people not feeling well and are becoming more prevalent in younger age groups, with Gen Z respondents representing the largest group suffering from gut issues.
According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, a study of more than 71,000 Americans found nearly two-thirds suffer from gastrointestinal issues like heartburn, reflux, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. But that’s not all. Gastrointestinal issues can also cause things like brain fog, depression, and an overall feeling of poor health. That is because the brain and the gut communicate through the “gut-brain axis” network. Issues in the gut can impact messages sent to the brain by the central nervous system, and vice versa.
Serotonin, a messenger to the brain, is crucial in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and other functions. Low serotonin levels have been linked to depression and anxiety. Experts say more than 90% of your serotonin and up to 80% of your immune cells are located in your intestines. Digestive issues, like an inflamed or unbalanced gut, can lead to increased intestinal permeability or “leaky gut,” where food, bacteria, and toxins can “leak” into the bloodstream, creating various physical and mental health issues.
On World Digestive Health Day, Dr. Tania Elliott will discuss the study’s results, what happens when you have a “leaky gut,” and help empower people to take their gut health into their own hands with lifestyle changes that can support overall health and wellness.
About the Expert: Dr. Tania Elliott, MD Dr. Elliott is a dual board-certified allergy, immunology, and internal medicine physician, a renowned health influencer with more than 200 million views across social media, and an expert guest on national broadcast shows which have included Good Morning America, Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, The Doctors and CBS This Morning. She graduated from Jefferson Medical College, completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital, and her Allergy and Clinical Immunology fellowship at Winthrop University Hospital. She is a clinical instructor at NYU Langone Health in NYC and a national spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Previously, Dr. Elliott served as Chief Medical Officer for the healthcare company EHE, where she re-envisioned and reshaped the annual wellness visit. As Medical Director of Doctor on Demand, she led the training and onboarding of hundreds of physicians in telemedicine and served thousands of patients through video consultations. She has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journal articles on direct-to-consumer healthcare delivery and implementation of virtual care into clinical practice.
Station Note: This interview is provided by Doctor’s Best
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