Today, we spoke to one of our speakers, Dr Lucy Williamson DVM BVM&S MSc, Registered Nutritionist, LW Nutrition for a quick Q&A. In preparation for her talk at this years Elevate. Let's jump in:
What excites you about Gut Health as a Nutritionist? Why can it be so transformative within the world of health and wellness?
It’s a fabulous whole health approach to optimal health and performance, grounded in robust science but also requires a holistic focus - stress management for example. It’s the hidden resource that we all have for a profound impact on our health from strengthening immunity to controlling inflammation and emotional wellbeing…and much more! What excites me the most is that targeting gut health is very accessible for all to do.
Can you elaborate on how diversity within our microbiome builds our resilience - obviously this is of interest within sport and wellness in general
Just as a thriving ecosystem needs biodiversity, our inner ecosystem, our trillions of gut microbes, also need diversity - the more varied they are the more they benefit our health. The 1000s of post biotics (their chemicals) that they produce for us work with our own biology to enhance many of our body’s natural processes. A great example is our immune system. Build your gut health and your resilience and recovery time will be strong.
You talk about a ‘mindset change’ around how we think of our food - what do you mean by this?
We focus a lot on which foods are best for us, even when it comes to our gut health. But we need to dig deeper and also consider the ‘how’? It’s early days but research is beginning to show us that when the structure of foods are changed, additives are included or even the type of farming system varies, the way our gut responds to these foods also changes. This leaves our gut more vulnerable to dysbiosis (microbes out of balance) ultimately affecting our whole health.
You have a keen focus around sustainable food choices - could you give your top 3 points?!
I certainly do! Having practised as a Vet for many years before doing my MSc in Nutrition and moving into human health, I have a deep respect for nature and animal welfare. There’s much confusion around what ‘sustainable food choices’ actually are. My top liners are:
Food needs to sustain our health as well as our land. Together with our gut microbes we are each a superorganism! Our food fuels us; our food choices therefore, need to sustain our health and our gut health.
Beware the UPFs! Plant based eating is key but it can be easy to fall into the trap of eating more processed foods. There’s a balance to be struck.
Think Community and Diversity! This is true for our inner community of vital microbes just as much as it is in just about every other part of life, if we are to succeed on this journey to a healthier and more collaborative future.
To learn more, join Lucy for her session 'Your Gut Health' from 11:50 to 12:20 on Thursday, June 13th, 2024.
Register Now: https://eventdata.uk/Forms/Def...
