Did you know that your body is made up of around 100 trillion living organisms? They outnumber your own cells 10 to one and live in your hair, on your skin, inside your nose, in your mouth — everywhere! But the largest concentrations of these teeny-tiny bacterial entities live in your gut.
The world of your gut involves a multifaceted, interconnected, interdependent relationship between micro flora: the complex, diverse micro-organism species that live in your digestive tract. Referred to as gut flora, these organisms are most easily understood as fitting into the categories of “good” or “bad” bacteria.
“Good” or “friendly” bacteria complete a multitude of tasks in your body. Common responsibilities include working to regulate the gut by neutralising some of the toxic by-products of your digestion; preventing the growth of harmful, pathogenic bacteria; controlling metabolism; reducing harmful substances such as carcinogens and toxins; gleaning and absorbing energy, nutrients and fatty acids from the foods you eat; producing hormones; training the immune system; and communicating with your brain.
“Bad” bacteria are microbes capable of causing disease by producing infection and increasing cancer risks. Research has found that the presence of particular harmful bacteria in mice led to overeating, metabolic damage and insulin resistance, highlighting a possible connection to obesity and weight disorders.
Researchers are finding out more and more about the important role of gut flora in achieving overall health. It has been found that dysregulated gut flora is linked to illnesses ranging from autism and depression to autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s, inflammatory bowel disease and type 1 diabetes.
A healthy gut flora balance should include about 85 per cent good bacteria and 15 per cent bad bacteria. However, a modern diet high in sugar, carbohydrates, preservatives and additives promotes an overgrowth of bad bacteria, which will quickly overpower your healthy gut flora.
Other causes of this imbalance include taking modern medicines such as antibiotics and drinking tap water, which contains chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine that kill off good bacteria. If you suffer from acne, low energy, digestive problems or low immunity, chances are you have an imbalance in your gut flora.
You cannot attain good health with a quick-fix diet or a pill; you must make healthy choices every single day. One way to really beef up your good gut flora and balance out your gut profile is to eat a diet low in sugar and artificial chemicals and preservatives, and use unprocessed whole foods.
