Gut health is essential for overall health and well-being. The gut contains trillions of micro-organisms, including beneficial and harmful varieties, collectively known as our “gut microbiome".
We have around 10 trillion cells in our bodies but we have around 100 trillion bacteria in our Microbiome. They actually outnumber us 10-1. Maintaining a healthy balance of micro-organisms within the microbiome is crucial. Factors like diet, exercise, medications, and even genetics can affect its composition and diversity, impacting various aspects of your health for better or worse.
Beyond simple digestion.
Yes, the bugs in our stomach are involved in digestion: The gut microbiome helps break down complex carbohydrates, fiber, and other nutrients that our body cannot digest on its own, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Our Microbiome is also the key driver of;
Immune system regulation: The gut microbiome helps regulate the immune system by producing antimicrobial peptides and other molecules that protect against harmful pathogens. It also helps prevent autoimmune diseases by promoting immune tolerance. In fact 70% of our total immune cells are found in the gut.
Metabolism: The gut microbiome plays a key role in regulating metabolism by influencing the absorption and storage of nutrients such as glucose and lipids that have been linked to improved insulin sensitivity and reduced risk of obesity.
Brain function: The gut microbiome has been shown to influence brain function and behavior through the gut-brain axis. The neurotransmitters like serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that affect mood, cognition, and stress response are made in the GUT not the brain.
Protection against pathogens: The gut microbiome helps protect against harmful pathogens by competing for resources and producing antimicrobial compounds. It also helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier, preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream.
Factors that negatively affect your Microbiome.
Lack of diversity in diet: A diet lacking in a variety of different whole foods, can result in a loss of gut flora diversity.
Lack of fibre: Prebiotics are a type of fiber that passes through the body undigested and promotes the growth and activity of friendly gut bacteria. Many foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, naturally contain prebiotic fiber
Eating too much sugar and artificial sweeteners: Eating a lot of sugar or artificial sweeteners causes gut dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of gut microbes.
Alcohol. Alcohol, even moderate amounts (7 units or more per week for men and 5 units or more for women) can cause dysbiosis and well as increased gut permeability, both of which can harm gut health.
Stress: Psychosocial factors influence the actual physiology of the gut, as well as symptoms. Only 2 hours of high stress (or depression or other psychological factors) has been shown to negatively impact the Microbiome.
Smoking: Smoking is not just bad for the lungs. It has been shown to alter the composition of the gut microbiota with more harmful species found in the gut of smokers.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics disrupt the balance between good and bad bacteria in your gut.
Lack of sleep: Lack of sleep changes in the composition of the gut microbiota very quickly.
So what happens when our gut health goes pear shaped?
There are some obvious conditions that make sense when it comes to linking good gut health to your health.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gut diseases such as colitis are examples of those. Unfortunately the list does not stop there. Today we know almost all chronic disease can be traced back to the gut. These include;
Heart disease
Liver disease
Diabetes
Obesity
Candida, a type of yeast infection
Intestinal permeability or "Leaky gut syndrome"
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Skin conditions such as eczema
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoporosis
Gout
Healthy Gut - Healthy Mind
We also know today that that there is a link between specific bacterial species and physical manifestations of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia & Parkinson’s (PD)
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally.
PD has undergone the fastest growth in prevalence and disability among neurological disorders, and it has become one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
These debilitating and destructive conditions have can be prevented, and if diagnosed early can be reversed with lifestyle change, starting with Gut Health.
How to keep the Microbiome healthy
This is our top 10 lifestyle strategies to ensure a healthy Microbiome .
Reducing sugar intake: High sugar intake causes gut dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of gut microbes driving chronic inflammation.
Regular exercise: Exercise has been shown to improve gut health by increasing the diversity of the gut microbiome.
A predominantly plant based diet: This increases the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Probiotics and fermented foods: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Prebiotic fiber: Prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates that feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Reducing stress: Chronic stress reduces the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Get Adequate sleep: Sleep deprivation can negatively impact the gut microbiome by reducing the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Reduce exposure to environmental toxins: We are bombarded with toxic chemicals that negatively impact the gut microbiome.
Quitting smoking: Smoking reduces the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Join Our 5 Day Gut Health Challenge
We are excited to announce our 5-Day Gut Health Challenge that will kick off on Monday 4 October 2023. Join us if you want to take control of your health, feel better, reduce inflammation, and gain energy.
Over the 5-days you will learn about the Microbiome and how it works what happens when it does not. Our team will guide you with simple but effective ways to regain and maintain good gut health.
Daily Facebook Live's.
Downloadable resources.
Discounted product bundle.
A community to share successes.
The challenge is completely free and open to everyone. All you have to do is click the button below to sign up.
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