Understanding how vital it is to maintain a strong and healthy gut flora will change the way we appreciate its value.
Organs often overlooked could be the key to a longer and healthier life. Your gut contains very diverse microbes (bacteria, viruses and eukaryotes) which are critical for overall well-being. It has been proven that the interaction and imbalances between the gut flora/microbiota and the body’s immune system plays a role in the development of diseases.
Only recently has science begun to scratch the surface of understanding how the complex system from trillions of microbial cells impact human health and physiology. From harvesting energy, absorbing nutrients and undigested carbohydrates, providing signals to the brain and developing immune functions, our gut is imperative to our survival.
“A healthy gut means you have a stronger immune system, a better mood, effective digestion that’s free of discomfort and a healthy brain and heart.”
— Sabine Hazan, M.D., a gastroenterologist, founder of Ventura Clinical Trials in Ventura, California
Several studies demonstrate the gut microbiome plays a role in the development of:
Cardiovascular disease (the major cause of death worldwide)
20% of all cancers
Diabetes
Rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic inflammatory disease)
Obesity
High blood pressure
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Gout
Depression
Longevity
So how can we improve the microbiome ecosystem that resides in our gut? Generally, having a very diverse microbiome is considered healthier than a less diverse microbiome. As research continues to grow, some common ways to begin strengthening gut health have been identified.
Eating plenty of prebiotic and probiotic filled food
Exercising regularly contributes to gut bacteria diversity
Reducing alcohol intake prevents gut irritation and inflammation
Practicing a low stress mentality
Prebiotics verse probiotics
While they sound very similar and while both are vital to our health, prebiotics play quite a different role to probiotics.
Probiotics are the live bacteria typically cultivated from certain foods.
Prebiotics feed the live probiotics in our body and are usually sourced from types of carbohydrates such as fiber which humans are unable to digest.
Prebiotics are found in many fruits, vegetables, grains and resistant starches. The cultivation of probiotics on the other hand are often the result of foods which have undergone a fermentation process. Fermented foods are typically rich in lactobacilli bacteria (the good bacteria). Evidence also suggests regular consumption of these foods lowers the amount of Enterobacteriaceae, a bacteria linked to inflammation and chronic diseases.
The large market for supplements in pill, powder and liquid form claims to deliver significant live bacteria. However, not all supplements have the same type of bacteria and concentrations. Some may not even make it past the stomach acid. Ultimately, a diet rich in probiotics will provide a wider range of benefits.
Our overall health and preventing potentially serious medical conditions starts with maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Live an active lifestyle, reduce alcohol intake and consume foods rich in prebiotics and probiotics to improve the outlook for a longer and healthier life!