Temporarily, no visitors aged 11 and under are permitted. This year's dominant flu virus is a mutated flu A virus that appears to make children and teens sicker than the typical flu. We are restricting visitors aged 11 and under because young children often can carry and transmit viral infections with no symptoms, especially early in the infection. As always, visitors should not come to the hospital if they have respiratory viral symptoms or nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Effective 1/1/26, all UNC Health Appalachian (UNCHA) teammates (including providers and staff) will be required to wear masks when they are around other people indoors.
Patients and visitors will also be encouraged but not required to wear a mask when they are around other people (e.g., in the hallway, in the waiting room, in the exam room being seen). This applies to all UNCHA hospitals, outpatient facilities, and offices.

Published on January 08, 2025

Healing From the Inside Out: All About Gut Health with Olivia Wilkins, PA-C

woman from neck down

In a recent episode of the Here’s to Her Health podcast, Olivia Wilkins, PA-C, a physician assistant at AppGastro, shared about the importance of gut health. It turns out that the health of your gut affects much more than just digestion – it impacts everything from your immune system to your mood. Olivia shared that we have more microbes in our body than human cells. "You have 38 trillion microbial cells in your body, which is 10 times the number of human cells in your body," she said. "So, in a way, we’re more microbe than human!" Microbes, or microbiota, are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that live in your digestive tract.

Gut health and hormones

Olivia explained that the gut microbiome helps regulate metabolism, inflammation, and hormones. "The gut microbiome helps regulate hormones, and it helps eliminate excess estrogen," Olivia explained. "If your microbiome is off, it can lead to a buildup of hormones like estrogen, which could increase the risk of hormone-related health issues."

Gut health’s impact on mental health

One of the most surprising connections Olivia highlighted was the link between gut health and mental health. "90% of serotonin, the chemical in your brain that helps regulate mood, is made in your gut," she shared. "So, when your gut is out of balance, it can show up as anxiety, depression, or even brain fog."

The role of antibiotics in gut health

Antibiotics play a big role in gut health, and Olivia emphasized the importance of using them carefully. "Antibiotics are great when you need them, but we’re overusing them," she said. "They wipe out the good bacteria in your gut, which allows bad bacteria like C. diff to take over." Olivia recommends probiotics to help restore balance when taking antibiotics, "Probiotics are your 'good guys' – they help restore the balance of bacteria in your gut."

However, Olivia stressed that the best way to get probiotics is through food, not supplements. "Fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi are great natural sources of probiotics," she said. "If you can, try to get them in your diet rather than relying on supplements."

Fiber: The secret to a healthy gut

Fiber is another essential component of gut health. "Fiber is the food for good gut bacteria – it’s like prebiotics. It feeds your microbes and helps them thrive," Olivia explained. She recommends aiming for 20 to 30 different kinds of fibrous foods each month. "It’s not just about the quantity of fiber, but the diversity of it," she said. "The more variety, the better."

Incorporating a wide range of fiber-rich foods into your diet creates a healthier, more diverse ecosystem in your gut. "Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber-rich foods helps with digestion, your immune system, and even your metabolism," Olivia explained.

The bottom line

One key takeaway from the conversation is how much our gut health affects overall well-being. "What you put in your body matters – it’s all connected," Olivia said. "A healthy gut means a healthier you, inside and out."

Want to learn more about gut health, and hear Olivia's answers to fun This or That (gut health edition) questions? Find out why coffee might be better for your gut than tea, and when Cologuard is an acceptable screening option. Plus, Olivia shares why scrolling through TikTok on the commode could cause hemorrhoids. Don’t miss this informative and fun episode – listen today wherever you get your podcasts!

Here’s to herHealth podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Listen and subscribe now!

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with Olivia at AppGastro, visit unchealthappalachian.org, or call (828) 264-0029.