In previous times, we lived in sync with nature and the changing seasons controlled which foods were available and how much sleep we had. But despite us being more disconnected nowadays from the changing seasons, our bodies and health are still affected – whether we want them to be or not.
Changes in weather and light often make us change our behaviours, which in turn affects our health. For example, we move less when it starts getting cold to save energy. And we tend to also spend more time indoors. This can lead to infections and viruses spreading more easily. And we also miss out on the positive effects of physical activity. Some examples of common problems with changing seasons are as follows:
Our gut flora is in constant flux and is affected by things such as what we eat, how much exercise we get, how much time we spend indoors, where we live, and how much contact we have with animals and people. For example, people who live in colder climates have a different collection of gut bacteria compared to people who live in warmer places. Exposure to cold temperatures has also been shown to have a temporary effect on gut flora.
One of the most important factors for how gut flora changes over the years is diet. One study that was done on the gut flora of the Hadza people from Tanzania – one of the few hunter-gatherer societies still in existence today – showed that their gut flora varied greatly from season to season. During the rainy season, when food mostly consisted of berries, honey and other plant-based foods, certain types of bacteria increased significantly. During the subsequent dry period, their diet was more focused on meat, which led to the previous types of bacteria being reduced so much that they almost disappeared, while bacteria connected to meat consumption increased. The result was then compared with people in the West, and it was confirmed that their gut flora did not have as much seasonal variation and was more like the Hadza gut flora from during the dry period.
Our bodies are adapted for seasonal eating. This gives us a natural variation in our diet which makes it easier to get all the nutrients we need for a strong immune system. Besides being cheaper, it’s better for the environment and often tastes better. At this time of year, fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season can be hard to find, so it can be a good idea to choose frozen veg and berries. As well as winter/autumn root vegetables and different types of brassica (cabbages, cauliflower, etc).
Shorter days during the winter make us more tired, which is an indication that we need to sleep more. Going to bed earlier is a pretty simple remedy. Now that spring is on the way, we can start using the sunrise as a guideline for when it’s time to get up, and ideally make use of the morning light to take a walk. Try to get some direct sunlight in the middle of the day, too, as it helps the body to regulate the circadian rhythm.
Read our earlier article about gut flora and sleep here. Good sleep is vital for our health!
The body is designed for movement and physical activity can even improve our cognitive abilities. If you also combine exercise with getting outdoors, you get daylight, fresh air, and lower stress levels. And your gut flora will feel good from being out in nature.
For those of us living in northern regions, vitamin D is even more important to be aware of, as our bodies can only create vitamin D with the help of the sun’s rays during the summer months (when the sun is sufficiently high). During the spring, a lot of people experience tiredness and depression. Which in some cases can be connected to low vitamin D levels.
Feed your gut bacteria with prebiotic fibre, which can be found in fresh fruits and vegetables, but also in pulses, nuts, quinoa, buckwheat and more.
Det ser ut til at du er i Norge. Besøk vår norske nettside her www.supersynbiotics.no