FEED YOUR MATES
There are estimated to be ten times more bacteria in and on our bodies than actual human cells. We are more than a body, we are a walking, talking garden.
We have evolved together with these bugs, and we help each other out like good mates. We provide them with food and a roof overhead, and they help us out with all sorts of chores like digestion and immune defense.
Of course there are some nasty bacteria that can cause trouble. Antibiotics have been a medical miracle, and saved countless lives. However, the overuse of them, plus a poor diet, can lead to a change in our internal ecosystem. Instead of a lush rainforest, many people have barren land with weeds, gorse and pests popping up. Research is showing the implications of a “deforested” gut on our health. Mood, skin, hormones, and autoimmunity are all influenced by the bacteria in your gut.
So how can you improve your gut flora? Probiotics are an obvious choice, but research has shown that they do not actually increase the number of good bugs in your gut. Instead they act more like a “tuner” of the gut and immune system. To grow your gut flora, you need to feed it. This can be done in the form of PREbiotic foods that contain soluble fibre or phenols. Soluble fibre is in foodslike onions, garlic and kumara. Phenols are high in foods like berries, grapes and red onions and even coffee.
If eating prebiotic foods worsen your gut symptoms, you may have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This can be a tricky issue to deal with and it is a good idea to talk to a health professional about how to address this.