Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food

A need for diversity has been understood for thousands of years. Hippocrates said, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food", which remains highly relevant millennia later. The right dietary intake supports gut bacteria that help to produce micronutrients like vitamins and antioxidants you eat, as well as break down carbohydrates, protein and fat. In addition to a personalized menu plan for maintaining your microbiota, nutritionists suggest one of the best ways to ensure good gut health is to only take antibiotics when it is absolutely necessary. Over the past decade, studies by nutritionist suggest that gut microorganisms play a major role in a wide range of chronic diseases including psoriasis, mood disorders, autoimmune disease, autism and obesity.

Consume the right foods for better gut health

Consuming a moderate amount of fish, poultry, and red wine and a lower intake of dairy products, red meat, processed meat and sweets, and more vegetable than animal intake is better for gut health and digestion.

• Eat a high-fiber diet
• Consume both insoluble and soluble fiber
• Limit foods that are high in fat
• Choose lean cuts of meats
• Add probiotics to your diet
• Eat on a regular schedule
• Stay well hydrated
• Stop smoking
• Eliminate excessive caffeine
• Don't drink alcohol or drink in moderation

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.

Human gut flora changed during the Neolithic era

During the Neolithic era, as food resources became more abundant and constant, human gut flora underwent an intense transformation, which may have led to emerging bacterial diseases. Numerous observations have been made as to the role of microorganisms in human health and wellness as well as how manipulating them may have influenced disease activity in the host. One way the gut microbiota can impact human health is by modulating the body's immunity, which is essential for immune cell recruitment and differentiation. With the ability to identify changes in gut bacterial genera, dietitians now have a better understanding of the impact that a specific menu plan has on an individual's microbial composition.