How Your Gut Health Affects Your Disease Risk

A chain reaction in your gut can leave you vulnerable to chronic inflammatory disease

Research has linked ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, obesity, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions to the health of the gut microbiome.Maridav/Shutterstock

The critical importance of gut health is getting more attention. A significant proportion of your immune system resides in your gastrointestinal tract, which means optimizing your gut microbiome will have far-reaching effects on your physical health and emotional well-being.

Mounting scientific evidence also continues to suggest a large component of nutrition centers on nourishing health-promoting bacteria in your gut (and elsewhere in and on your body). Take care of these beneficial bacteria and you'll keep harmful microbes in check and shore up your protection against chronic disease.

Disease Begins in Your Gut

Research has linked ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, obesity, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions to the health of the gut microbiome. A 2020 scientific review by Alessio Fasano, director of the Center for Celiac Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, goes so far as to say that all inflammatory disease begins in the gut.