Download you are only as healthy as your gut bacteria

YOU ARE ONLY AS HEALTHY AS YOUR GUT BACTERIA
Humans have a mind blowing 100 trillion microbes living in and on our bodies. They
outnumber our cells by ten to one.
The relationship we have with our gut microbes has evolved over millions of years and
thanks to The Human Microbiome Project1, it is clear that microbes play a fundamental role
in maintaining our health.
Ideally, a gut should be home to a great diversity of microorganisms with the majority of
organisms being beneficial to the body. However, the following factors have affected the
variety and number of beneficial bacteria in our gut:
- stress
- overuse of antibiotics,
the increase in caesarean sections, (one in three births)
- the consumption of highly processed food
- the increase in environmental toxins
What effect does this depletion have on the microbiome2?
What we know so far is that the digestive microbes play an important role in maintaining
human health. The Microbiome protects us from invaders by crowding out harmful bacteria.
They also assist in synthesizing vitamins and hormones. They are involved in detoxification
and help to maintain the immune system.
If the beneficial gut microorganisms have been depleted, dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut
bacteria) ensues. Pathogenic microbes and toxins may attack the gut wall, allowing only
partially digested food to enter the bloodstream. This situation may contribute to the onset
of food allergies and intolerances. Later on, general toxicity of the body may present itself
and contribute to autoimmune disease.
What do symptoms of dysbiosis look like?
- Bloating,
Burping
- abdominal pain
increased flatulence
- chronic constipation or diarrhoea, colic
gluten intolerance
- eczema
- thyroid disorders
- Brain fog.
Behavioural disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, depression, ADHD have in
common a disordered gut.
Healing the gut and improving bacterial diversity are necessary requirements if you wish to
regain your health. It cannot simply be achieved by taking probiotics. A large number of
probiotics will travel through the gut without becoming inhabitants. Eating healing foods is
1
2
http://hmpdacc.org
The microorganisms in a particular environment
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the most important factor in healing the gut. However, eating a “super-healthy” diet may
not be of much help if your microbes are depleted as you will be unable to assimilate all the
nutrients from food. Healing foods are healthy foods but “super–healthy” foods are not
necessarily healing to the gut.
If you are interested in improving your health, consider attending an introduction to GAPS
(Gut and Psychology Syndrome) evening at the clinic . Phone for details, individual and
family appointments are also available.
Liz Wakefield is a Certified GAPS Practitioner, Naturopath and Homeopath.
References :
The Human Microbiome Project http://hmpdacc.org
Campbell-McBride.N., Gut and Psychology Syndrome. Medinform Publishing UK 2015
Chitkan.R., The Microbiome Solution. Scribe Publications. UK 2015
Oasis Health Literature .... copyright Oasis Health 2016
www.oasishealth.net.au