How Your Microbiome Affects Your Health

Did you know that trillions of fungi, viruses, and bacteria are living in your body? Although some bacteria, fungi, and viruses are associated with illness and disease, many of these bacteria work with your body to maintain health. All of these microorganisms make up what is known as your gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is where the majority of the immune system is located and help to improve immunity and fight off illness and disease. The area of the large intestine called the cecum is where most of these microorganisms live. These microorganisms help with many vital roles in the body, including immunity, heart health, digestion, and brain health. Therefore, it is essential that you ensure that your body is brimming with beneficial bacteria. In order to support your gut microbiome, you need to eat a healthy diet and take a supplement to improve your gut health. Fermented foods, including miso, sauerkraut, and yogurt, provide your body with beneficial bacteria. If your gut microbiome is imbalanced and does not contain enough beneficial bacteria, you can suffer from a variety of health issues. Brain health Certain bacteria are used by the body to create necessary chemicals that help to improve the mood and control how the brain sends messages to the nerves. Several studies have found individuals suffering from a variety of psychological disorders, including depression, have an unhealthy gut. Bifidobacterium longum can help improve the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, thus improve brain health and mood. Diabetes The microbiome helps to regulate glucose levels. When you’re the microbiota in the gut becomes unbalanced, the body cannot use glucose for energy properly. This can increase the risk of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Improving the microbiome through supplementation and consuming probiotic-rich foods can help to decrease the risk of diabetes. Digestive health A balanced gut microbiome rich in Lactobacilli promotes healthy triglycerides and good cholesterol. When the digestive tract’s bacteria become imbalanced, the unhealthy gut bacteria can produce a chemical that contributes to the narrowing of the arteries, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Irritable bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome can be caused by gut bacteria dysbiosis. Taking a probiotic supplement that is rich in Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria can help to improve gut health, decrease inflammation, and relieve your abdominal pain, cramping, and bloating. Immunity The healthy bacteria in your digestive tract promote immune health and decrease inflammation in the body. In fact, a study done by researchers at the University of Chicago found that when a specific strain of bacteria found in the digestive tract was activated, attacked melanoma tumor cells in mice. How to rebalance your gut microbiome The most important thing you can do to rebalance the bacteria in the digestive tract Is to eat a nutritious diet. Including fiber rich foods like whole grains, vegetables, and fruits will help to improve the bacteria in your gut. Fermented foods, including yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, and miso, contain live cultures of probiotics. In addition to this, eating foods that are high in sugar and fat will feed the harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. Exercise is also essential when it comes to improving the bacteria in the gut. When you sweat, toxins are removed from the body, which can help improve gut health. This naturally detoxifying activity changes the microorganism make up of the bacteria in the GI tract. Choose foods high in polyphenols. Polyphenols act as antioxidants. Antioxidants scrub free radicals and toxins from the body and promote health. Additionally, microbes use polyphenols as fuel. Some of the most potent polyphenols are found in tea, coffee, olive oil, seeds, nuts, and berries. Avoid artificial sweeteners like saccharine, aspartame, and sucralose. These sweeteners reduce the diversity of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Instead, opt for natural sweeteners like agave nectar and honey as sweeteners. The gut contains several trillions of bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and viruses. If these microbes become imbalanced, a number of health issues, including high cholesterol, diabetes, mood disorders, and digestive disorders can occur. You can help support gut health by eating a healthy diet, avoiding artificial sweeteners, and exercising regularly. Finally, take a probiotic supplement to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.