Living Well: Your Guide to Good Gut Health

A letter from Kaitlin Ahern, Editorial Director of Health

We might like to give social media all the credit for the buzz around gut health, but the truth is, people have been interested in their innards for, well, centuries. Case in point: “All disease begins in the gut” might sound like a soundbite straight off TikTok, but it's actually a quote by Hippocrates, an Ancient Greek physician who lived way back in the BCs.

Thanks to modern-day medicine, we know a whole lot more than Hippocrates ever did about how the gut actually works, but his quote still holds water: Our digestive health is indeed connected to just about everything else, from our immunity to our sleep to our mood. And if the endless #guthealth reels are any indication, we're all pretty keen on keeping the tiny universe of bugs in our bowels as healthy as possible.

The good news? The path to good gut health may look a little different for everyone, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Here's your gut check—aka, what you actually need to know about balancing your microbiome, managing digestive conditions, and keeping your gut on the up and up. So grab a glass of kombucha, prop up your feet on that Squatty Potty, and dig in.

Meet the Experts

Here, we’re spotlighting a handful of the experts we interviewed for the stories you’ll find in this gut health guide.

Roshini Raj, MD

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Alessio Fasano, MD

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Khoi Vu, MD

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Gail Hecht, MD

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Samantha Nazareth, MD

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Roshini Raj, MD

Dr. Roshini Raj is a board-certified gastroenterologist, clinical associate professor of medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, author of Gut Renovation, and co-founder of YayDay digestive supplements. She believes the mind and gut are closely connected, and that improving one can dramatically affect the other.

Alessio Fasano, MD

Dr. Alessio Fasano is a gastroenterologist and research scientist with Massachusetts General Hospital, where he serves as the director of the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment, chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and director of the Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center. His specific clinical interests include celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders.

Khoi Vu, MD

Dr. Khoi Vu is a family medicine specialist and the founder of Revitalife Medical Center in Hawthorne, California. He brings a holistic philosophy to treating patients, with a focus on healthy aging, preventive medicine, and addressing the root cause of illness rather than simply treating symptoms.

Gail Hecht, MD

Dr. Gail Hecht is a board-certified gastroenterologist and internist, Wonderbelly medical advisor, and former president of the American Gastroenterological Association. In 2020, she became only the second woman to receive the Julius Friedenwald Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the AGA for an individual’s lifelong contributions to the field of gastroenterology. Her research has looked into the effect of the gut microbiome on intestinal function and health.

Samantha Nazareth, MD

Dr. Samantha Nazareth is a double board-certified gastroenterologist and internist with NewYork-Presbyterian in New York City. Her mission is to educate her patients and consumers on the increasing number of food and environmental issues that can adversely affect gut health. Dr. Nazareth advocates for keeping a balance of daily dietary and other healthy living activities (sleep, movement, stress reduction, support) to maintain optimal gastrointestinal wellness and, in turn, improve overall health.

9 Habits to Stick With for a Healthier, Happier Gut

A healthy gut forms the foundation for overall well-being. Discover simple strategies to support and even improve your GI health straight from gut-health experts.

I Changed My Diet to Manage GERD, but I Never Expected the Effects It Would Have on My Mental Health

A writer charts her journey managing gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, and the surprising ways it has challenged her mental health and cultural identity.

Turns Out, Your Gut Flora Do a Whole Lot More Than Help You Digest Your Food

Take a closer look at the trillions of microbes that call your gut home. Find out how they get there and how they're connected to aspects of your health far beyond digestion.

For Years, I Thought My Gut Issues Were From Dairy—Then I Got a Surprising Diagnosis

After avoiding dairy for most of her adult life because of GI issues like gas and bloating, a writer discovers she's been treating the wrong condition all along.