How to Eat For a Healthy Gut

Posted by Amina AlTai on

Did you know our gut (or gastrointestinal tract) is home to over 100 trillion live microorganisms?!  And the majority of it is beneficial bacteria that protects us from infection, while regulating our metabolism and our mucosal immune system?  In fact, the gut comprises more than 75% of our immune system!

 Whoa -- we'll just let that sink in for a moment. 

The good bacteria in our GI do a lot of wonderful things for us. They work extra-hard at fighting off harmful invaders that enter the body by both detoxifying them and then easing their elimination.  A healthy proliferation of good bacteria, along with probiotics, also helps to maintain a balanced pH within our digestive tract; this is important because a lower pH prevents the metabolism of bile and cholesterol in the colon—which can become cancer-causing.  Healthy bacteria can even lower serum cholesterol and your risk of cardiovascular disease.  A healthy gut really is everything.  
So what can you do to help support the proliferation of all that great bacteria?!  Put the right things in your mouth, for starters.  
Choose a good probiotic
Look for a probiotic that has 15 strains or more of beneficial bacteria with at least 30 billion CFU.  That will ensure that you're getting a good variety and quantity to support the healthy bacteria. I like Preescript assist and Saccromyces Boulardi.
Eat probiotic-rich foods
Kimchi, kefir, kombucha, yogurt, sauerkraut and miso soup are all great options that have been proven to support the proliferation of good bacteria.
More microalgae, please
Microalgae such as spirulina, chorella, and blue-green algae increase the amount of good bacteria in the digestive tract.  They are also super alkalizing, which as we learned above, helps to prevent heart disease and high cholesterol by way of healthy pH balance.   
Watch your sugar
The average American consumes over 150 pounds of refined sugar annually.  150 pounds!!  That refined sugar actually feeds bad bacteria and yeast in our digestive track, making it increasingly hard for the good bacteria to keep the peace.  Excessive sugar consumption, along with other dietary and lifestyle factors can lead to an imbalance of bacteria and eventually autoimmune diseases such as churn's, celiac disease and many others.  
Manage your stress
We all know that stress is a killer, but did you know that it can alter your microbiome as well?  A recent study highlighted just how much so: The body's stress response can disrupt your gut in a number of ways including impacting nutrient absorption, decreasing oxygenations, restricting blood flow and lowering enzymatic output.  When you look at those factors holistically, it's pretty clear how they can contribute to dysbiosis (microbial imbalance).  

 

gut healthy healthy gut microbiome

← Older Post Newer Post →

News

RSS
Tags
2017 resolutions adaptogens adrenal fatigue alcohol Alkalizing foods Almond Butter Cups amina altai Asana asking for a raise athleisure Bibliotherapy biscuits blueberry cheesecake bars Brooklyn Burnout Business Travel caffeine caffeine withdrawal chakras cheddarbiscuits chocolate cleanse cleanse your mind coconut sugar Coffee Consciousness cooking class dessert Detox diet Dry January Dry-Uary eating mindfully Emotional Energy Clearing entreprenourished face oils family stress fitness Food allergies foods for hypothyroidism Gluten Free gluten free snacks glutenfree goal setting golden milk golden milk chai guide to sleep Gut health gut healthy health healthy Healthy Alcoholic Drinks Healthy Cocktails Healthy Dessert Healthy Drinks healthy eating healthy eggnog healthy gut healthy living Healthy Restaurants healthy sleep Healthy Snack healthy snacks healthy tips heart wall Holiday detox holiday eating holiday recipes homemade how many hours should you sleep how to set resolutions hygge hypothyroid hypothyroidism Inflammation interview Is coffee bad jump rope workout Kombucha lemon detox water lemon water liver cleanse low glycemic snacks Low Sugar Cocktails low-sugar marathon meal prep meal tips meditate at work Meditation Mental Health microbiome mocktails money monotasking mushrooms mycotoxins myths and facts cleansing new years resolutions nourishment Nutrition passionate work Peanut Butter Cup Ph levels Physiology Positivity productivity professional inspiration protein bars PTO q+a quitting sugar raw dessert Reading Reading List recipe Running scones Self Care self-care shopping on budget sickness prevention skincare sleep sleeping tips snack Specific Carbohydrate Diet spring cleanse spring cleanse series stevia strawberryscones stress stress management Success sugar sugar-free Travel travel snacks Travel Well travel workout turmeric turmeric latte unity valentine's day vegan vegan eggnog vibrations Wellness Wellness Bloggers Wellness Books wellness hacks wellness travel wellness trends Williamsburg work wellness Workout Workout Tips Workouts workplace health workplace wellness Yoga Yoga Poses zero food waste zucchini latkes zucchini pancakes zucchini recipe

Recent Posts