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Your gut health and thyroid hormone levels are intimately connected. Triiodothyronine (T3), the active form of thyroid hormone, has been found to have a direct effect on the stimulation of gastrointestinal (GI) motility and its role in gut health maintenance.
What is Triiodothyronine (T3)?
Triiodothyronine (T3) is the active form of thyroid hormone, which can also be referred to as a metabolic regulator or ‘hormone master switch’. It is the main hormone that helps to regulate many body functions, such as metabolism, body temperature and energy levels. T3 helps to regulate the amount of energy that is released from the breakdown of your food, as well as how much energy is used for other bodily processes.
How Does T3 Affect Gut Health?
Your gut health is intertwined with Triiodothyronine (T3), as it is essential for regulating GI motility; the movement, absorption and transportation of food and waste through your gut.
T3 helps the digestive juices to work more efficiently. It increases the muscle contractions in the intestines which helps the food to move quickly and efficiently through the digestive tract. Additionally, T3 helps to stimulate the secretion of enzymes and gastric juices, which can aid in digestion.
What is the Connection Between T3 and Gut Microbiome?
The gut microbiome, or the bacteria found in your gut, has a direct impact on overall health and specifically on gut health. T3 has a direct effect on the gut microbiome, as it has been found to help regulate and maintain the balance of bacteria in your gut.
T3 affects the growth, composition and activity of the microorganisms living in your gut. Studies have found that T3 helps to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in your gut and decrease the number of harmful bacteria, leading to improved gut health and digestion.
Why is Maintaining Balanced T3 Levels Important for Gut Health?
Maintaining balanced levels of T3 in your body is essential for good overall health and specific gut health. When T3 levels are too low, it can lead to sluggish digestion and slower intestinal transit time, leading to uncomfortable digestive issues, such as constipation, diarrhea and bloating.
Conversely, when T3 levels are too high, it can lead to a rapid transit time and gastric motility, spilling food into the small intestine before it has been properly broken down. This can cause malabsorption issues, leading to nutrient deficiencies and digestive problems.
Conclusion
Triiodothyronine (T3) is a vital hormone when it comes to maintaining proper gastrointestinal health, as it helps to stimulate the movement of food and waste and maintains the balance of microorganisms in the gut. Ensuring your T3 levels are balanced is essential for good gut health, as an imbalance can lead to constipation, diarrhea, bloating and malabsorption issues.
With proper diet, exercise and monitoring of T3 levels, it is possible to maintain optimal gut health and digestive wellness.
