The good, the bad, and the ugly – We have trillions of them!
The flora of your intestinal tract is exceedingly important for a variety of reasons.
- Digestion
- Vitamin production
- Immune Support
- Prevention of food allergies
- Neurotransmitter production – bulk of serotonin (feel good neurotransmitter) produced in gut
- Detoxification – directly and indirectly by producing B12 for liver detox pathways
- Maintenance of healthy weight
Trillions of bacteria reside in the intestines of healthy humans.
The constant battle between the Healthy Flora and Unhealthy Flora wages in a never ending balancing act. Dysbiosis, a term used to describe too many unhealthy, potentially pathogenic bacteria or yeast in the GI tract, results when the unhealthy flora “wins”.
But you can tip the scales in your favor and be a winner!
There are several factors that impact whether or not you will have a healthy flora and a happy gut.
- Digestion
Good digestion – starves out the bad bacteria and yeast = healthy flora
Poor digestion mostly provides food for unhealthy bacteria = dysbiosis
- Diet
Green vegetables – impact the pH and provide Fiber = healthy flora
Standard American diet – high in sugars / carbs / processed foods = dysbiosis
- Circumstances of birth – Flora of mom matters
Healthy mom and vaginal delivery – helps to boost healthy flora for baby
Mother who has untreated Group B Strep at the time of delivery passes it to her baby
C-section baby – doesn’t pass through birth canal to pick up mom’s flora
- Medications
Steroids – like prednisone favors yeast (candida) = dysbiosis
Antibiotics – reduces population of healthy bacteria and favors growth of yeast
Soluble – food source for healthy bacteria – acts as a Pre-biotic
Insoluble fiber preferentially feeds healthy bacteria.
How to have a Healthy Flora and Happy Gut:
- Eat a healthy diet – remove sugars / processed foods
- Consider support with digestive enzymes
- Consider support with probiotics
- Green Smoothies each day
- Eat plenty of green vegetables
- Consider a fiber supplement