Your body is home to trillions of microscopic organisms: bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes that inhabit almost every part of you. This busy ecosystem of microorganisms make up what’s known as the human gut microbiome.
Most of your microbes live in your gut. Bacteria are the most studied of the gut microbes. These bacteria do a lot—they digest your food, keep your immune system humming along, protect your intestines, remove environmental toxins from the body, produce B vitamins and generate vitamin K, which helps your blood clot.
Human health is complicated, to say the least. Similarly, everyone’s gut microbiome is unique, although certain combinations of microbes are the hallmarks of a healthy gut.
Your gut flora also contains small amounts of “bad” bacteria. Their presence is totally normal, but we don’t want these microbes to take over. That’s why keeping a good balance between the good and the bad guys is important. You want vibrant communities where the good bacteria thrive and the bad bacteria are kept in check.
What are the symptoms of an imbalanced gut?
Improving your gut health starts with what you eat. It’s the most natural way to support your good gut bacteria. They eat what you eat, so feed them well. Keep reading to learn how to nourish good gut bacteria.
When your gut bacteria is out of balance, your body isn’t able to digest food as well. If you’re feeling or noticing any of the following symptoms, you may have a gut imbalance:
- Food sensitivities or allergies
- Digestive problems like occasional gas and bloating
- Weight changes
- Skin issues
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
If you want to increase your metabolism, your diet is one of the key places to start, as we know and Vivere180 team can help you achieve!
How can I improve my gut health?
- Cut back on sugar: If you make one change to improve your gut health, make it this. Bad bacteria love sugar and feed off of it. Cut back on sugar (that includes the fructose in fruit).
- Eat more whole foods: The hallmark of a thriving digestive system is a balanced gut microbiome.
- Up your fiber intake: We’re not talking about cardboard cereal made with whole grains. Although grains and legumes are sources of fiber, but they’re also sources of antinutrients that can contribute to inflammation and impede nutrient absorption. We recommend reaching for leafy greens, nuts, root vegetables