Microbiome
What is the Gut Microbiome?
Your gut microbiome is a collection of approximately 40 trillion (yes, with a “T”) different organisms living in your gut (you also have microbiomes in other parts of your body, like your mouth and skin). These organisms include bacteria, archaea, eukaryotes, and viruses. This whole world of microbes plays a critical role in your health.
Why is my human microbiome important?
The human gut microbiome is essential for our development, immunity and nutrition intake. The bacteria living in our gut microbiome help us digest food, regulate our immune system, and produce vitamins. It is essential for our overall health.
Understanding the human gut microbiome and how it impacts our health and overall being is currently one of the hottest health topics in health. In recent years, your “gut bacteria” has been linked to a plethora of diseases and conditions, from diabetes to autism and depression, anxiety and even obesity and weight gain. It has even been linked to how individuals respond to certain medicines.
Interestingly, each person has a unique gut microbiome which is heavily influenced by the dietary ingredients in food. The micronutrients in our food are the raw materials for specific microbiome functions. Because every person’s gut microbiome is unique, the same food given to two people can cause the microbiome of one person to produce beneficial molecules and the other person harmful molecules.
What are the symptoms of an unhealthy gut?
There are many symptoms that those with an unhealthy, or unbalanced gut can possibly experience. Bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and inflammation are all consequences of a gut that is unbalanced, with certain microbes outnumbering others and producing substances that may not be the most beneficial for your digestive system, or your body.
How do I balance my microbiome?
One of the best ways to help balance the microbes in your gut is to eat the foods that will be the most beneficial to you and your microbes, and also eliminate the foods that feed the microbes that are producing those inflammatory substances that hamper healthy digestion. And as well, adding in any vitamins, food extracts, probiotics and prebiotics that will effectively work with your diet and are precisely formulated for you.