Gut Health
The Second Brain
The "Gut" is often referred to as the body's "Second Brain." Indeed, the human digestive tract contains over one million nerve cells, about the same number found in the spinal cord. There are actually more nerve cells in the overall digestive system than in the peripheral nervous system. Furthermore, major neurotransmitters found in the brain. Major neurotransmitters found in the brain — including serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine and nitric oxide, occur plentifully in the gut as well.
One of the reasons why your gut has so much influence on your health has to do with the 100 trillion bacteria (about three pounds worth) that line your intestinal tract. This is an extremely complex living system that aggressively protects your body from outside offenders. They help to breakdown the food you eat into its basic nutrient components so that your body can absorb them into your blood stream.
Poor Digestive Health
In addition to reducing the body's ability to absorb nutrients from the food you eat, poor digestive health can lead to mood disorders and other neurological disorders. It can also lead to issues such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, celiac disease, constipation, diarrhea, GERD, candida and food allergies.
Leaky Gut
One of the main causes for poor digestive health is a condition known as "Leak Gut." Leaky Gut is in many cases caused by an imbalance of the good bacteria, bad bacteria and yeast in your intestines. This imbalance can cause a tear in your intestines which allows bacteria, food particles or bile to escape into the blood stream where it can travel throughout the body, causing the body's immune system to create inflammation in an attempt to combat the foreign invaders. It is well understood that cronic inflammation leads to most cronic diseases known today.
Seven Signs and Symptoms that you have Leaky Gut:
The "Gut" is often referred to as the body's "Second Brain." Indeed, the human digestive tract contains over one million nerve cells, about the same number found in the spinal cord. There are actually more nerve cells in the overall digestive system than in the peripheral nervous system. Furthermore, major neurotransmitters found in the brain. Major neurotransmitters found in the brain — including serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, norepinephrine and nitric oxide, occur plentifully in the gut as well.
One of the reasons why your gut has so much influence on your health has to do with the 100 trillion bacteria (about three pounds worth) that line your intestinal tract. This is an extremely complex living system that aggressively protects your body from outside offenders. They help to breakdown the food you eat into its basic nutrient components so that your body can absorb them into your blood stream.
Poor Digestive Health
In addition to reducing the body's ability to absorb nutrients from the food you eat, poor digestive health can lead to mood disorders and other neurological disorders. It can also lead to issues such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, celiac disease, constipation, diarrhea, GERD, candida and food allergies.
Leaky Gut
One of the main causes for poor digestive health is a condition known as "Leak Gut." Leaky Gut is in many cases caused by an imbalance of the good bacteria, bad bacteria and yeast in your intestines. This imbalance can cause a tear in your intestines which allows bacteria, food particles or bile to escape into the blood stream where it can travel throughout the body, causing the body's immune system to create inflammation in an attempt to combat the foreign invaders. It is well understood that cronic inflammation leads to most cronic diseases known today.
Seven Signs and Symptoms that you have Leaky Gut:
- Food Sensitivities
- Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Autoimmune Disease
- Thyroid Problems
- Malabsorption
- Inflammatory Skin Conditions
- Mood Issues and Autism
Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Digestive issues like IBS, leaky gut, or a low immune system (frequently being sick) are becoming more and more common within the American population. These issues indicate a problem with maintaining a proper level of good bacteria versus bad bacteria in the gut (the intestines). Your gut contains an entire ecosystem of bacteria and yeast — some beneficial to you, others toxic.
Probiotics are good bacteria (micro-organisms) that primarily line your intestines (gut) and are responsible for nutrient absorption and supporting your immune system. Probiotics can be found in abundance in fermented foods.
Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients (fiber) that feed the good bacteria in the gut and help them to flourish. Prebiotics are primarily found in fruits and vegetables. Both are needed for good gut health.
The Good
Good bacteria can help do the following:
The Bad
As with any ecosystem, the delicate balance of the digestive tract can be upset by various toxins including antibiotics and other drugs, chemicals (like chlorine and fluoride) in our water, food additives and preservatives, stimulants like coffee, and an overabundance of difficult-to-digest foods like improperly prepared whole grains.
When the balance of micro-organisms in your gut is out of balance and the “bad bacteria” proliferate, these bad bacteria produce toxins which can weaken your immune response. They also interfere with the proper absorption of nutrients into your blood stream. It is possible to eat a nutrient-rich diet of real foods and still be nutrient deficient because of poor digestive health. Of course the lack of the proper level of nutrients in your body can lead to certain systems in your body not operating properly, which can then lead to the development of serious medical conditions or diseases.
Digestive issues like IBS, leaky gut, or a low immune system (frequently being sick) are becoming more and more common within the American population. These issues indicate a problem with maintaining a proper level of good bacteria versus bad bacteria in the gut (the intestines). Your gut contains an entire ecosystem of bacteria and yeast — some beneficial to you, others toxic.
Probiotics are good bacteria (micro-organisms) that primarily line your intestines (gut) and are responsible for nutrient absorption and supporting your immune system. Probiotics can be found in abundance in fermented foods.
Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients (fiber) that feed the good bacteria in the gut and help them to flourish. Prebiotics are primarily found in fruits and vegetables. Both are needed for good gut health.
The Good
Good bacteria can help do the following:
- Strengthen the immune system
- Improve digestion
- Increase energy from production of vitamin B12
- Better breath because probiotics destroy candida (bad bacteria)
- Healthier skin, since probiotics improve eczema and psoriasis
- Reduce the catching of colds and flus
- Heal leaky gut and inflammatory bowel disease
- Support weight loss
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus bulgarius
- Lactobacillus reuteri
- Streptococcus thermophilus
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bacillus subtilis
The Bad
As with any ecosystem, the delicate balance of the digestive tract can be upset by various toxins including antibiotics and other drugs, chemicals (like chlorine and fluoride) in our water, food additives and preservatives, stimulants like coffee, and an overabundance of difficult-to-digest foods like improperly prepared whole grains.
When the balance of micro-organisms in your gut is out of balance and the “bad bacteria” proliferate, these bad bacteria produce toxins which can weaken your immune response. They also interfere with the proper absorption of nutrients into your blood stream. It is possible to eat a nutrient-rich diet of real foods and still be nutrient deficient because of poor digestive health. Of course the lack of the proper level of nutrients in your body can lead to certain systems in your body not operating properly, which can then lead to the development of serious medical conditions or diseases.
Probiotic Boosting Foods
1. Kefir
Similar to yogurt, this fermented dairy product is a unique combination of milk and fermented kefir grains. Kefir has been consumed for well over 3,000 years; The term kefir originated in Russia and Turkey and means “feeling good.” It has a slightly acidic and tart flavor and contains anywhere from 10 to 34 strains of probiotics. Kefir is similar to yogurt, but because it is fermented with yeast and more bacteria, the final product is higher in probiotics.
You can make your own Kefir.
2. Cultured Vegetables (Sauerkraut and Kimchi)
Made from fermented cabbage and other vegetables, sauerkraut is not diverse in probiotics but is high in organic acids, which give food its sour taste and support the growth of good bacteria. Sauerkraut is extremely popular in Germany today. Kimchi is a cousin to sauerkraut and is the Korean take on cultured veggies. Both of the fermented formulas are also high in enzymes, which can aid digestion.
You can make your own Sauerkraut .
3. Kombucha
Is an effervescent fermentation of black tea that is started by using a SCOBY, also known as a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha has been around for over 2,000 years, originating around Japan. Many claims have been made about kombucha, but its primary health benefits include digestive support, increased energy and liver detoxification. Kombucha tea is becoming quite popular as a healthy soda alternative and can be found in refrigerated sections of most grocery stores.
You can make your own Kombucha.
4. Coconut Kefir
Made by fermenting the juice of young coconuts with kefir grains, this dairy-free option for kefir has some of the same probiotics as traditional dairy kefir but is typically not as high in probiotics. Still, it has several strains that are beneficial for your health. Coconut kefir has a great flavor, and you can add a bit of stevia, water and lime juice to it and make a great-tasting drink.
5. Natto
A popular dish in Japan consisting of fermented soybeans. Natto contains the extremely powerful probiotic bacillus subtilis, which has been proven to bolster your immune system, support cardiovascular health and enhance digestion of vitamin K2. Also, Natto contains a powerful anti-inflammatory enzyme called nattokinase that has been proven to fight cancer.
6. Yogurt
Possibly the most popular probiotic food is live cultured yogurt or greek yogurt made from the milk of cows, goats or sheep. Yogurt in most cases can rank at the top of probiotic foods if it comes from grass-fed animals and has not been pasteurized. The problem is there is a large variation on the quality of yogurts on the market today. It is recommend when buying yogurt to look for three things: first, that it comes from goat’s or sheep’s milk, second, that it is grass-fed and third, that it is organic.
Similar to yogurt, this fermented dairy product is a unique combination of milk and fermented kefir grains. Kefir has been consumed for well over 3,000 years; The term kefir originated in Russia and Turkey and means “feeling good.” It has a slightly acidic and tart flavor and contains anywhere from 10 to 34 strains of probiotics. Kefir is similar to yogurt, but because it is fermented with yeast and more bacteria, the final product is higher in probiotics.
You can make your own Kefir.
2. Cultured Vegetables (Sauerkraut and Kimchi)
Made from fermented cabbage and other vegetables, sauerkraut is not diverse in probiotics but is high in organic acids, which give food its sour taste and support the growth of good bacteria. Sauerkraut is extremely popular in Germany today. Kimchi is a cousin to sauerkraut and is the Korean take on cultured veggies. Both of the fermented formulas are also high in enzymes, which can aid digestion.
You can make your own Sauerkraut .
3. Kombucha
Is an effervescent fermentation of black tea that is started by using a SCOBY, also known as a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha has been around for over 2,000 years, originating around Japan. Many claims have been made about kombucha, but its primary health benefits include digestive support, increased energy and liver detoxification. Kombucha tea is becoming quite popular as a healthy soda alternative and can be found in refrigerated sections of most grocery stores.
You can make your own Kombucha.
4. Coconut Kefir
Made by fermenting the juice of young coconuts with kefir grains, this dairy-free option for kefir has some of the same probiotics as traditional dairy kefir but is typically not as high in probiotics. Still, it has several strains that are beneficial for your health. Coconut kefir has a great flavor, and you can add a bit of stevia, water and lime juice to it and make a great-tasting drink.
5. Natto
A popular dish in Japan consisting of fermented soybeans. Natto contains the extremely powerful probiotic bacillus subtilis, which has been proven to bolster your immune system, support cardiovascular health and enhance digestion of vitamin K2. Also, Natto contains a powerful anti-inflammatory enzyme called nattokinase that has been proven to fight cancer.
6. Yogurt
Possibly the most popular probiotic food is live cultured yogurt or greek yogurt made from the milk of cows, goats or sheep. Yogurt in most cases can rank at the top of probiotic foods if it comes from grass-fed animals and has not been pasteurized. The problem is there is a large variation on the quality of yogurts on the market today. It is recommend when buying yogurt to look for three things: first, that it comes from goat’s or sheep’s milk, second, that it is grass-fed and third, that it is organic.