Physical fitness and Gut health

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Studies have found that people who are more physically active are less likely to have gut-related issues than those who are less active. Exercise can provide stress relief, better sleep, and increased gas clearance. 

If you have IBS or gut-related issues, it is a good idea to try out some exercises. Being active not only helps with gut-related issues but overall contributes to many health benefits. Some exercises to try are:

Walking: Getting those daily steps in by walking or light jogging can help regulate blood sugar levels, burn calories and work on several large muscle groups. A study done by Plos One had found that the more steps a person with IBS took per day, the less their symptoms occurred.  

Yoga: As there are many types of yoga they all have the basic principles of connecting the body to the brain and breath. When starting out for IBS try taking classes for beginners which can be gentle and focus on stress relief. 

Leisure Swimming: Swimming is a great low-impact exercise that gets the legs, arms, and core moving. It is great to reduce stress levels while  boosting your endorphins. Leisure swimming is also great for mental health as it reduces anxiety and stress with are often a trigger for IBS symptoms. 

Hamaguchi, Toyohiro, et al. “The Effects of Locomotor Activity on Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome among Younger People: An Observational Study.” PLOS ONE, journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0234089. Accessed 12 May 2023.