Look Who it Was Random video

Gut Reaction- Digesting Your Holiday Meal

246 views · Published 7 December 2015 · 1:59 · Indexed 22 October 2026

Channel: Lee Health · 2015 · Science & Technology

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Ever uttered the phrase ‘listen to your gut’? Health experts are putting more and more importance on the potential of gut bacteria. We all have it growing inside us, and it plays an important role in our wellbeing.

“We’ve always kind of known that they’re important and they’re a huge part of us, but we never really knew to what extent. So now we’re figuring out all the different jobs that they had that we weren’t really even aware of before,” says Teresa Spano. 

Teresa Spano is a naturopathic consultant with Lee Memorial Health System. Gut bacteria is one of her first stops in addressing diet-related health issues.

“People with GI things: gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, it’s also people who have recurrent sinus infections, recurrent vaginal infections or UTIs. They’re even showing good probiotics can help decrease signs of anxiety and depression,” says Spano. 

Probiotics are the live bacteria that’s considered good for gut health. By keeping it in proper balance, experts believe it betters digestion and increases immunity, benefitting the body as a whole. It occurs naturally in some foods, including yogurt with ‘live acting cultures’

“And there’s also something called pre-biotins which helps feed the good bacteria. Those are really foods like asparagus, chicory root, onion, garlic, leeks; those are good prebiotic foods that help boost up your bacteria,” says Spano. 

Some of these may be part of your Thanksgiving menu. A feast of over-indulgence, you might be well served to fill up on good bacteria. 

“There are definitely things you can do before and after to help prevent some of the side effects of having a big, delicious meal,” says Spano. 

A happy belly goes a long way in maintaining a healthy body. Food for thought as you dive into turkey day. 


View More Health Matters video segments at leememorial.org/healthmatters/

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

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