The post 101 Gut Microbiome – A Beginners Guide To Understanding Your Gut. appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.
]]>So let’s bring it back to basics so we can actually fully understand what the Microbiome is and what it actually does for us.
What is the Gut Microbiome?
We all have thousands of tiny microorganisms in our guts and these tiny organisms have a major effect on overall health and from research, we now know that they have already been implicated in a variety of conditions, including everything from gastrointestinal disorders to cardiovascular disease to asthma.
The gut microbiome refers to the billions of live bacteria humans have in the gut, but it also includes things like fungi and viruses. It’s estimated that the gut contains approximately 35,000 different strains of bacteria in which the majority are found in the large intestine, particularly the colon, but bacteria can also be found in the oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
The gut refers to the place where food is digested, metabolised, and absorbed to be delivered into the cells and provide the body with energy. It is essential in allowing for the removal of waste – this process of breaking down food creates bioactive compounds that either help support health or lead to inflammation, increasing the risk for disease.
What does the Gut Microbiome do for us?
Our gut health has implications beyond simply healthy digestion; the state of our gut health may also regulate our mood (through serotonin production), immune response, and predisposition to weight gain.
The total surface area of our gut is approximately the size of a small studio apartment – this is why diet has such a profound impact on health.
The gut lining can become damaged and leave little holes in it if it’s constantly being exposed to irritants through the diet or environment. This is also known as Leaky Gut. In turn, this causes chronic low-level inflammation and is another example of how compromised gut health can lead to a variety of chronic as well as immune disorders.
Read more on Chronic Inflammation of the body here.
What affects the Gut Microbiome?
- Method of delivery at birth
- Infant feeding
- Genetics
- Infections
- Medications
- Diet
- Age
- Stress
How can you keep your Gut Microbiome Thriving?
It’s important to both support your gut with Probiotics and Prebiotics.
Prebiotics are types of dietary fibre that feed the good bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics can be found in foods like:
- Garlic, Spring Onions, Onions
- Leeks
- Cabbage
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Artichokes
- Kidney beans & Soy Beans
- Bananas
- Watermelon
- Grapefruit
- Almonds
- Flaxseeds
- Pistachios
- and many more..
Probiotics are live microorganisms intended to provide health benefits when consumed, generally by improving or restoring the gut flora.
Choosing an appropriate and high-quality probiotic supplement that is suitable for your gut, should be something that everyone strives to incorporate into their diet every single day as it would be near impossible to eat enough probiotic rich foods everyday to meet your standards.
However, incorporating probiotic rich foods are always a good idea – some of them are:
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Tempeh
- Kimchi
- Miso
- Kombucha
- Pickles
But be careful if your gut-flora is out of balance as these might add fuel to the fire.
Now, how’s your gut?
Let me know in the comments below.
Anna xx
The post 101 Gut Microbiome – A Beginners Guide To Understanding Your Gut. appeared first on Anna Høgh Groth.
]]>