There are several billion bacteria living in our intestines that together make up our gut flora. These gut bacteria have a variety of properties and serve functions in our bodies that affect how we feel.
The gut flora, which is also called the gut microbiota or microbiota, consists of both good and bad bacteria. However, in order for the gut flora to remain in balance and function properly, the majority of the bacteria need to be good bacteria. If the bad bacteria take over, the imbalance can create stomach and digestive problems and create inflammation in the body. Lactic acid bacteria are a common type of good bacteria, especially the bacterial strains Lactobacillus and Bifidus.
Good bacteria serve a number of important functions in the body. In addition to the role they play in digestion, about 70 per cent of our immune system is in the gut. A new area of research that has gained a lot of attention also shows that there is a link between the gut flora and the brain.
In order to care for your gut flora, it is important to feed the good bacteria by eating the right foods. The good bacteria’s favourite foods are prebiotics, also known as dietary fibre or simply fibre. Fibre is found in all types of unprocessed plant foods, so be sure to increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds to provide your gut bacteria with the fuel it needs to thrive. Fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut and kimchi, are also good foods to include in your diet as they contain both fibre and natural lactic acid bacteria.
Factors such as stress, a low-fibre diet and too much sugar can upset the balance of the gut flora. In these cases, the most important thing to do is to try to find your way back to a gut-friendly diet, try to reduce stress, and strive to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible. It is also a good idea to complement your diet with dietary supplements such as probiotics and synbiotics.
Det ser ut til at du er i Norge. Besøk vår norske nettside her www.supersynbiotics.no
