Recurrent digestive problems such as IBS, nervous stomach and bloating are more common than you might think and affect everyday life for many people. But what most people do not know is that a lot of stomach and digestive problems can be related to imbalances in the gut flora.
Our intestines are home to several trillion bacteria that together make up our gut flora. These bacteria are important to keep the gut in good condition, for digestion and nutrient absorption; in addition, 70 per cent of our immune system is in the gut.
The gut flora contains both good and bad bacteria, but in a well-functioning gut, there is a balance maintained where the good bacteria remain in the majority. But this balance can become disturbed, which can result in a variety of stomach and digestive problems, such as bloating, gas, noisy stomach, irritable bowel, diarrhoea or constipation.
An imbalance in the gut flora is often connected to an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. A one-sided diet that contains a lot of sugar, sweeteners, caffeine, additives and not enough fruits and vegetables can upset the balance in the gut flora. Relying on this type of diet means, for example, that you miss out on important sources of dietary fibre that feed the good gut bacteria and allow them to thrive.
A sedentary lifestyle and stress can also cause digestive problems and disturb the balance in the gut flora. Stress causes the body to release more of the hormones adrenalin, noradrenalin and cortisol, which in turn creates a gut environment more hospitable to the bad bacteria than the good bacteria. It has also been shown that people with IBS have increased sensitivity of the nerves in the gastrointestinal tract and that the communication between the gut and the brain does not work optimally.
Eliminate or cut down on sugar, unnecessary additives, dairy products and gluten. Instead of the normal Western diet, try an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods. You can find more information about the anti-inflammatory diet in Stig Bengmark’s book Välj Hälsa! (Swedish only)
Try to reduce the amount of stress in your daily life by making a habit of putting aside time for relaxation and restoration. For example, mindfulness and meditation have been shown to be effective methods for reducing the negative effects of stress.
We can help restore balance to our resident gut flora by adding more foods (or a supplement) containing good bacteria and fibre that feeds the bacteria. This can be done to a certain degree by taking synbiotic supplements that combine probiotics (good bacteria) and prebiotics (fibre).
Det ser ut til at du er i Norge. Besøk vår norske nettside her www.supersynbiotics.no
