The little bugs that live in our gut and digestive system do much more then help strengthen our immune system and regulate bowels. Researchers are now focusing on how the gut bacteria can be correlated with increased fatness.
As a holistic practitioner I value the importance of quality gut flora. The good bacteria, as we know, helps us to improve our immune system, provide vitamins and prevent other harmful bacteria from infecting us. These bacteria in our gut and digestive system also regulate how well we derive energy from our food.
Interestingly two strains of bacteria have been found to influence fat absorption almost regardless of diet: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Lean people have more Bacteroidetes and fewer Firmicutes and vice versa for obese people. When obese people lose fat the ratio of bacteria in their gut increases to have more Bacteroidetes.
This finding is so influential and has significant implications for health that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a multi-year Human Microbiome Project in late 2007.
Tips:
1. Ditch the Splenda. A study done at Duke University found that giving Splenda to rats significantly decreased the amount of helpful flora in the gut.
2. TryFermented Foods. Kefir, unsweetened plain yoghurt, kimchi, sauerkraut and kombucha tea are the best fermented foods known to increase the amount of good bacteria.
3. Take a Prebiotic and Probiotic supplement. Prebiotics are fermentable substrates that help bacteria grow and thrive. Inulin and FOS are effective. They have also been shown to improve calcium absorption. Probiotics are bacteria. There are many kinds of supplements on the market. Take probiotics daily.
Taken from The 4 Hour Body by Timothy Ferris
Good Bacteria Quiz
If you answer YES to the following questions call me as soon as possible at 778-836-3831 to investigate the possible causes of your health disruptions and create a personalized plan in order to heal your body and overcome them.
1. Do you experience bloating (regularly or occasionally)?
2. Does your stomach feel as flat in evening as it did when you woke up?
3. Do you have a daily bowel movement (EVERY DAY!)?
4. Do you pass gas?
5. Do you experience heartburn or indigestion?
6. Do you get colds more then once per year?
7. Do you have eczema, dry skin, acne, dandruff, psoriasis, yeast infections or IBS?
8. Are you congested on a regular basis?
9. Do you have unexplained muscle aches?
10. Do you crave sweets, dairy or alcohol?
So if you’ve answered YES to some or most of these questions I highly recommend you schedule a health assessment right now while you are thinking about it so that we can get to bottom of why you are feeling this way and to assess how your imbalance of good to bad bacteria is affecting your weight and health.
Initial health intake assessments are 60 minutes and complimentary. If you know of someone else who would benefit from this assessment feel free to forward on this information.
You can email me at northshorenutrition@shaw.ca or call me at 778-836-3831.
