UNDERSTANDING YOUR GUT MICROBIOME FOR BETTER HEALTH

Our gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of overall health and well being, directly impacting: digestive health, immune function, skin health and emotions. 

What is the gut microbiome?

It is the variety of microorganisms in the large intestine all things from bacteria to yeast to viruses, with each of us having up to 100 trillion microbes within our gut. 

We often talk about ‘beneficial bacteria’ this refers to the bacteria that ferments dietary fibre which supports the regulation of appetite, assists glucose production and controls blood lipid levels.

The immune system is directly impacted by the gut and it is home to 70% of our immune related cells. 

How does the microbiome become disrupted?

A reduction in ‘beneficial bacteria’ can increase ‘harmful bacteria’ leading to digestive issues such as bloating, consultation or diarrhoea. 

Factors that lead to this disruption include:

Diet: A diet rich in plant foods is key to nourishing the microbiome and production of ‘beneficial bacteria’, where as a diet high in added sugars may promote the growth of harmful bacteria. 

Stress: Our gut-brain axis interconnects the two enabling constant communication between bacteria in the gut and the brain. Prolonged periods of stress can negatively impact the gut microbiome. 

Antibiotics: Overuse of antibiotics puts the gut at risk of digestive issues as antibiotics cannot distinguish ‘beneficial’ and ‘harmful’ bacteria. 

How to support your microbiome: 

• Maintain a balanced diet that is high in fibre rich plant foods and minimise added sugar intake. 
• Manage stress levels to support your gut microbiome and overall health. 
• Only take antibiotics when necessary and support the gut microbiome through diet or probiotic supplements.