Top 5 things you need to know about your microbiome

Microbiome is the biological term for the total population and variety of bacteria that are in your intestines. You may well know that your intestines do a lot of leg work when it comes to your digestion, but did you know that the majority of your immune system also lies within your intestinal lining?

Your intestines are vital to your overall health. They allow you to extract the nutrients, vitamins and electrons you need, and the microbiome within them also defends you against poor health.

1.

Your microbiome is key to your digestive health.

Good bacteria, also known as microbiome, is on your side when it comes to your health. It promotes good digestion and empowers your immune system.

Conversely if the balance of your microbiome is off, you’ll most likely experience poor health.

A good variety of microbiome leads to good digestive health and a robust immune system.

Not only will your digestion be on point, but you’ll have a good defence mechanism set up against illness too.

2.

You can support your microbiome.

Did you know that 70% of your immune system is integrated in your microbiome and intestinal health?

It makes sense then that taking care of your microbiome is imperative to your overall wellbeing.

Fortunately, you can easily support your microbiome in a number of ways:

  • take an allergy panel to detect if you have any underlying allergies you’re unaware of
  • incorporate a probiotic into your routine
  • try eating foods which have live cultures, like yoghurt. Or try drinking kombucha and kefir.

3.

Your microbiome has an impact on your emotional health.

You may be familiar with the saying “good food, good mood”.

Your body’s ability to extract nutrients from your food and beverage choices, is directly linked to the health of your brain.

Your adrenal glands are also impacted by your digestive health.

Poor digestive health can put pressure on your adrenals glands, which in turn has a negative impact on your hormone levels.

As part of achieving good emotional health, you need to prioritise the balance of your microbiome.

4.

Antibiotics are not selective, which means that they kill off good bacteria too.

Antibiotics can be a good tool to have at your disposal when needed, however they’re not selective when it comes to killing off probiotics.

Robust bacteria like E.coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter live in hardened environments, which means that it takes longer to kill them off than your healthy probiotic Lactobacillus. Lactobacillus is very delicate, and after a round of antibiotics it’s important to repopulate your gut with good bacteria. You can do this by using a probiotic, which your Functional Medicine practitioner can advise you on.

5.

Blueberries are one of your microbiome’s favourite foods!

Your microbiome has good taste when it comes to food!

Blueberries, raspberries, apples and apple cider vinegar all include polyphenols, which feed your microbiome.

Try incorporating polyphenol-rich foods into your diet, not only will they help increase the growth of good bacteria but they promote anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects as well.

Improving your gut will help improve your general health and wellbeing.

If you think that you may have an issue with your gut or want to learn more about gut health, do get in touch.

We are passionate about unpicking our clients’ health concerns and it is our number one focus to help our clients to achieve their optimal health.