1. What are gut bacteria
Our bodies are crawling with bacteria! In the gastro-intestinal tract alone (starting with the mouth and ending at the anus) there are trillions of microorganisms, about 2kg worth of bacteria, lining this 8m long tube. And rightly so, as they are doing an excellent job in keeping us healthy.
2. The role of gut bacteria
So how do these bacteria contribute to our health? The beneficial bacteria, also known as a healthy microbiome, play a vital role in our survival, as they provide a natural physical barrier along the gut wall, to keep it impermeable, and thus to protect us from harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, toxins and other contaminants in the our food and drink. These “good” bacteria produce antibiotic like substances that destroy harmful bacteria.
The “good” bacteria produce enzymes that aid digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fiber, and they also assist with the absorption of food. Several vitamins and nutrients are produced by the bacteria too, which are then absorbed through the gut wall into the blood stream to nourish the body.
In addition, the “good” bacteria plays a major and very supportive role in the body’s immune system. In fact, about 80% of the body’s immune surveillance is located in the gut wall, where the “good” bacteria and the immune system function very intimately together.
3. When things go wrong in this world
At both ends of our gastro-intestinal tract (git or gut), which is open to the outside world, there are all types of bacteria – harmful, harmless and beneficial. All are competing to colonise this long tube where it is warm, moist, dark with regular food coming through – an ideal breeding ground. The healthier your microbiome, the more the beneficial bacteria are attached to their receptors on the mucosa lining the gut, the more impermeable the gut wall is and the more protected we are. An impermeable gut wall prevents harmful bacteria, viruses, toxins, contaminants and proteins from crossing the gut wall and thus gaining access to our bodies.
Damage to the integrity of the gut wall, makes it more permeable to contaminants in the food we eat, in daily drinks and from the air we breathe in – even proteins or half digested proteins in our food can now gain access into the body, and will thus be treated as an invading foreign protein, as in the condition referred to as “leaky gut syndrome”. An unhealthy, inflamed and permeable gut wall is currently being viewed as the main root cause of most illnesses.
4. Are there any remedies?
Firstly eliminate foods that feed the “bad” bacteria, fungi and parasites. Secondly take a good quality probiotic supplement daily. Thirdly make sure you take an omega 3 supplement in the form of EPA and DHA, and if your vitamin D levels are low, ensure that you get your levels improved by eating more eggs, oily fish and a supplement if necessary. Lastly improve your daily diet by eating lots more plant material with lots of colours, while not forgetting to walk daily.
HEALTH INSIGHT
MARCH 2017