Getting the Gut Balance right (Good Vs Bad bacteria)
Getting the Gut Balance right (Good Vs Bad bacteria)
We have 2 sets of bacteria GOOD and BAD. The good bacteria live in harmony and provide us with various health benefits.
To GET GOOD GUT we should have a healthy balance estimated around 85% of good bacteria and 15% bad bacteria.
How do the Good Guys get destroyed by the Bad Guys?
Sometimes, it’s a necessary evil, such as when you have to take antibiotics or strong medication to kill a bad throat infection or fever. However, the antibiotics also kill your good bacteria, which can lead to compounding problems such as:
- Bowel irregularity (diarrhea and constipation)
- Yeast overgrowth (can cause itching, burning around your anus and lead to vaginal and oral yeast infections)
- Dysbiosis (the technical name for a lack of good bacteria or a bacterial imbalance)
- Complications such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
When beneficial bacteria is reduced due to stress, alcohol, antibiotics, or a diet high in sugar and processed food, harmful bacteria could populate the gut wall. These bacteria produce toxic products that could disturb gut wall function and increase gut wall permeability, known as “leaky gut.” Allowing leakage of toxic products from the intestinal lumen into circulation.
This has been shown to trigger inflammation, stimulate the nervous system, and impact areas within the brain that regulate behavior and emotional responses. Consequently, contributing to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, impaired stress response etc.
Diet is an essential factor that can influence gut bacteria. Prebiotic foods such as garlic, onions, asparagus, leeks, chicory, and apples help grow beneficial bacteria.
Probiotic foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, miso contain beneficial bacteria and too could help improve gut bacteria balance.