YOUR HEALTH is reliant on good nutrition, as you probably know, however how well and what you absorb is the critical factor. A healthy gut micro flora is the foundation to good health.
This is nutritional starvation, and it’s a very real problem.
Processed foods, antibiotics, medication, and a lack of “raw foods” in your diet can take its toll on your digestive system over the years, eventually leaving very few good bacteria; and worse, allowing the bad bacteria to proliferate.
Your digestive system is filled with micro flora, living organisms that play a crucial role in digestion, in strengthening your immune system, in eliminating toxins and regulating your bowels. If you suffer with skin or you have allergies, weight problems or autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, you also have recurring headaches and a bloated stomach.
(The real reason may be that your gut flora is out of balance.)
There are many other possible imbalances in your body’s operating system that may drive illness, as well. These include problems with hormones, immune function, detoxification, energy production, and more.
Many people suffer from digestive problems including reflux or heartburn, irritable bowel, bloating, constipation etc.
But gut problems can cause disease far beyond the gut.
Normalizing gut function is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Many of the following benefits which can be achieved by addressing imbalances in the function and flora of the gut:
- By Improving digestion and assimilation
- Boosting the immune system
- Increasing the bioavailability of micronutrients
- Helping to eliminate toxins from the gut
- Relief from excess gas and bloating
What can help?
EAT FERMENTED FOODS– almost every culture in the world has a history of using fermented foods for health and vitality. If your digestion is sluggish you will feel bloated and sluggish, it’s that simple. Things like live yogurt and sauerkraut, and make sure you buy good quality organic products.
EAT ORGANIC, RAW FOODS– organically-grown fruits and vegetables are a natural source of fibre and help in producing an overall healthy micro flora. Making sure your salads, broccoli etc. are all organic reduces your risk of toxins from pesticides that are destructive to healthy gut flora.
TAKE A PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT– taking a simple probiotic supplement at breakfast can have a tremendous impact on overall health; however always choose a good quality multi strain such as Viridian High Potency Tri-Blend Acidophilus Complex.
Imbalances in gut bacteria can affect the brain
Toxins, metabolic by-products, and inflammatory molecules produced by these unfriendly bacteria can all adversely impact the brain.
When there is a balance of good bacteria in the gut they produce short chain fatty acids. These healthy fats reduce inflammation and boost your immune system. Bad gut bugs, on the other hand, produce fats that promote allergy and asthma, eczema, and inflammation throughout your body including brain fog and memory loss.
Even obesity has been linked to changes in our guts ecosystem that are the result of a high-fat, processed, inflammatory diet. Bad bugs produce toxins called lipopolysaccharides that trigger inflammation and insulin resistance or pre-diabetes and thus promote weight gain.
By Nutritionist Susanne Lancaster BSc.