Your digestive tracts consists of trillions of live microorganisms that make up what is known as the gut microbiome. There is an increasing amount of evidence linking many health issues to a disturbed gut microbiome. In reality, the health of your body and mind are dependent upon a balanced, healthy microbiome. Here are some things to know that help you keep your gut healthy.
The Balance
It is important for the different types of microorganisms that make up our gut flora to be in proper balance. The ideal ratio of beneficial to pathogenic microbes is around 85:15. Unfortunately, most people have the reverse with bad bacteria outnumbering the good bacteria. This imbalance in the gut flora is called dysbiosis. When there is an overgrowth of bad bacteria, the gut lining becomes more permeable. This allows toxins to enter the bloodstream where they can travel around the body with various negative effects. This is most often referred to as leaky gut.
Your Gut and Emotions
Scientists have discovered the importance of the “gut-brain” connection. It is becoming clear that our gut really is our “second brain”. They are also discovering that the connection between our gut and our emotions is very strong. Researchers have found that twice as many patients saw improvements from depression when they took a probiotic as compared to the other patients who took a placebo. Keeping a healthy gut microbiome may also improve brain function, reduce symptoms of anxiety, and alleviate stress.
Another reason the gut is considered the “second brain” is due to the amount of nerve endings and neurotransmitters that are linked to gut function. When the gut lining is inflamed and damaged, large proteins enter the bloodstream. This creates inflammation in all tissues, including the brain. This leads to an increased risk for brain fog, depression, and other cognitive issues.
Immune System
Another important reason to keep your gut healthy is because 80% of your immune system is in your gut. The good bacteria in the gut help to protect the body from infections by acting as a physical barrier. In addition, they enhance mucous production which also provides protection against invasive bacteria. Finally, they create enzymes that destroy harmful bacteria along with supporting production of T cells that support the immune system.
Nutrient Absorption and Your Diet
The good bacteria in the gut increase the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals. They also supply essential nutrients and aid in the absorption of minerals like calcium and iron. In addition, microorganisms in the gut can provide nutrients like Vitamin B12, vitamin K, and biotin. The metabolic activity of our gut flora allows our bodies to utilize foods that would otherwise be undigested.
To keep your gut healthy, it’s important to avoid highly inflammatory foods which are easily metabolized into sugar. They create extra acidity in the tissues and lead to imbalances in your gut flora. Meat and dairy from conventionally-raised animals, farmed fish, non-organic fruits and vegetables, and highly processed vegetable oils, such as canola, grapeseed, and safflower, are also highly inflammatory and should be avoided. The toxins in these foods can worsen gut health and destroy good bacteria
Optimize Gut Flora
Probiotics are a type of organism that can help boost the amount of beneficial bacteria in your gut. They are found in supplements, foods (such as tempeh, natto and miso) and drinks, such as kombucha. But if you think you are suffering from an unhealthy gut microbiome, there are 4 main categories of probiotic supplements that you may want to consider: food based, soil based, beneficial yeast and combination probiotics. The 4 categories provide different good bacteria that perform different functions in the gut. For example, spore probiotics are thought to be helpful for allergies, whereas probiotic yeasts are particularly helpful during and after a round of antibiotics.
As always, if you do supplement with a probiotic, it is important that it come from a trust worthy source. The testing done by LabDoor showed that some brands contained 0% viable bacteria based on the stated label claim. Chiropractors, naturopaths, and health and wellness direct marketing companies can be another source of effective probiotics.
Did this help you? If so, I’d greatly appreciate it if you commented and/or share it on social media.
Email: sharonledwards@hotmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharonledwardsbiz/