In this Live Event, we talk about why digestive problems are becoming increasingly common and how to understand what is really happening at a physiological level in order to address them at the root. The conversation featured Dr. Antonio Hernández, medical director and co-founder of be levels, alongside María Puntí, a specialist in Dietetics and Precision Health, and Mariana Aróstegui, specializing in Biotechnology, Microbiota, and Integrative Health. Key moments The gut is not just for digestion: it is a central system A key idea was put on the table: the digestive system does not function in isolation. It is connected to the immune system, the nervous system, metabolism, and hormonal balance. What happens in the gut impacts the entire organism. You are not what you eat, you are what you absorb It was explained that digestion depends not only on food, but also on context: stress, habits, emotional state, or pace of life. Often, the problem is not in what you eat, but in how you process it. Symptoms are not the cause, they are the consequence Bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, or poor digestive tolerance do not appear for no reason. They are signs that the system has lost its regulation, often due to factors like stress, infections, antibiotics, or lifestyle. What is happening at a physiological level The key mechanisms behind the most common digestive problems were addressed: motility alteration, inefficient digestion, dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, or low-grade inflammation. Digestion begins before you eat One of the most interesting points was understanding that the digestive process begins before the first bite. Stress, rushing, or eating in a state of alertness can block digestion from the start. The gut also protects The role of the stomach and the intestinal barrier as defense systems was explained. When this barrier fails, inflammation and immune system activation increase. Intestinal inflammation doesn't stay in the gut An inflamed gut can affect energy, skin, mood, or the immune system. It was highlighted that about 70% of the immune system is in the gut, which explains its global impact. Lifestyle is key to digestive health Sleeping poorly, living with stress, eating fast, or having irregular schedules promotes digestive disruption. Before adding solutions, you often have to repair the context. Microbiota goes far beyond digestion The microbiota was discussed as a metabolic and immunological organ, capable of regulating multiple systems in the body. It is not just about having a microbiota, but about it functioning correctly. The real game: the metabolites Beyond the bacteria, what matters are the compounds they produce, such as short-chain fatty acids. Butyrate was highlighted as a key molecule for intestinal integrity, inflammation, and the immune system. What harms and what nurtures the microbiota Chronic stress, poor diet, lack of rest, or antibiotics directly affect intestinal balance. In contrast, the circadian rhythm, a varied diet, movement, and stress management help keep it in balance. The approach must be holistic It was emphasized that there is no single cause or single solution. The approach must combine diet, habits, rest, stress management, and, when it makes sense, external support. Products mentioned in this live [PROD]digestya[/PROD][PROD]clean-gut[/PROD][PROD]be-calm[/PROD][PROD]chill-mood[/PROD][PROD]fem-balance[/PROD][PROD]vital-woman[/PROD]
