You may be wondering what gut health could possibly have to do with aging; time passes and getting older is inevitable no matter what we do, right?

But the truth is, the more we learn about the microbiome, the more we realize that our gut health influences aspects of our well-being that we never even imagined.

And healthy aging isn’t about reversing time or fighting the inevitable, it’s about preserving our energy levels, staying fit, and looking and feeling radiant for a lifetime—which, you guessed it, has everything to do with the bacteria living inside us.

Promote a youthful complexion from the inside out.

Your skin is like a window into the health of your inner world. That’s why you’re quick to notice a change in your complexion when faced with things like immune system disturbances, hormonal and nutritional imbalances, and even an off-kilter pH in the body, all of which begin with the balance of flora in your gut environment.

Because so many things in our lifestyles can wipe out the good bacteria we're meant to have, your skin often reflects imbalances in the system. What’s worse, the physical effects of stress can deplete our good flora and leave us looking way older than we feel.

Fortunately, we can restore balance to the gut and even ward off the negative effects of stress by making gut healthy lifestyle choices, including directly replenishing the gut with probiotics (also known as the beneficial gut bacteria). These mighty microbes help us digest and absorb vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals—nutrients our skin desperately needs to look radiant and supple at every stage in life.

Your metabolism begins with your microbiome.

Most of us know that one of the not-so-welcome changes that comes with aging is the slowing of the metabolism. What many people don’t know is that gut health plays a critical role in maintaining both a healthy metabolism and body weight.

The more we learn about our microbes, the more we realize that weight loss is not as simple as that old “calories-in, calories-out" equation we all learned years ago. As it turns out, there’s a direct correlation between the quantities of good bacteria residing in your GI tract and metabolic function. In fact, scientists can now predict your body weight more accurately based on the microbes in your gut than on your genes! By replenishing the good guys in your system, an effective probiotic can help support your hormones and blood sugars, increase nutrient absorption, and decrease the impact of stress on your body—which are just a few of those hidden factors that may be standing between you and your weight loss goals.

Your bacteria could be making you tired and cranky.

With our high-stress lifestyles and desire to maximize our time, it’s no wonder that we’re all feeling fatigued and struggling to regulate our moods. And this can really take a toll, especially as we age. But we don’t have to resolve ourselves to less-than-optimal health. By addressing gut imbalances, we can equip our bodies to produce the proper brain chemicals we need to deal with stress and modern life, regulate our hormones, and stabilize our moods. Did you know our friendly flora produce and regulate neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin that calm us down and make us feel good? Indeed, over 90% of all the serotonin (the “happy chemical”) in our body is produced in our gut!

And because of the gut-brain-skin connection we mentioned above, replenishing our friendly bacteria can even promote bright and youthful skin because they help keep our cortisol levels right where we want them, instead of producing unnecessary stress—and dulled skin—as a response.

Nurture your gut health to eliminate brain fog and elevate your energy.

If your energy levels aren’t what they used to be, you’re not alone. The good news is that in addition to boosting your mood—which naturally increases your energy levels—nurturing your microbiome can promote mental clarity and lasting energy by improving your nutrient absorption, helping you sleep better, and even keeping your blood sugars in check.

So what do we do? There are a lot of ways to cultivate your gut health to make sure it’s working with you (and not against you) as you age, including revamping your diet, avoiding environmental toxins, getting more exercise and sleep (yes, it’s a two way street), and avoiding any unnecessary medications, especially antibiotics.

The simplest and most proactive step you can take? Find a high-quality probiotic that is designed to survive your stomach acids, like Hyperbiotics PRO-15. With a patented, time-released delivery method, the 15 diverse strains in this formula are released over an 8 to 10 hour period so they reach deep into your intestinal tract alive, where they can set up shop and get to work supporting your health at its very core. And the best news? These probiotics can be easily found in your local Target store.

Your best years aren’t behind you, they’re just ahead! By looking after the health of your gut, you can tap into the proverbial “fountain of youth” and realize that the secret to healthier, younger-looking skin, more energy, your ideal body weight, and even mental and emotional clarity lies within.