You Are What You Choose to Eat

It is unlikely everyone will stop eating junk food, although the long-term health effects could be devastating. Healthy gut microbe control the tempo of your intestinal tract by helping the body digest and absorb nutrients and synthesize certain vitamins. Until now, many scientists assumed it could take months to shift microbial composition, but now we're learning that significant changes can occur within just a 24-hours following changes in your diet. After decades of studying the impact that foods consumed can have on the human microbiome, doctors and dietitians were thrilled to discover the relationship is almost real-time.

Ways to cultivate good gut bacteria

Personalized diet plans offer an attractive therapeutic approach for reducing risks for chronic diseases by changing the gut bacteria populations through food-microbe interactions. Actions to improve gut health include:

• Cut out added sugars
• Cut out processed foods
• Consume more dietary plant fiber
• Limit antibiotics
• Don't be afraid to get dirty
• Take a probiotic regularly
• Avoid over-sanitization
• Add fermented foods to your intake
• Manage everyday stressors
• Get consistent amounts of sleep
• Exercise to work up a sweat
• Consume less red meat

A habitual, healthy diet of whole foods can help promote diversity in your gut bacteria by breaking down fiber into by-products that reduce inflammation and keep the gut barrier intact.

Think of your microbiome as a virtual organ

If you want to lose weight and restore your health, think of your microbiome as a virtual organ that allows you to adjust hormone production for favorable results by managing your food intake. Your microbiota is highly influenced by your dietary intake, but the composition of your microbiota depends on the variety of food components consumed. In addition to the affect your menu plan has on your microbiota composition, prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs are key modulators for gut health. Over the past decade, researchers have uncovered the link between microbial balance and various diseases. Gut microbiota affects immune functions, nutrient absorption, bone homeostasis, tissue generation and metabolism.