Gut dysbiosis - part 3 - what to do about it

In the previous two posts, we’ve looked at what gut dysbiosis is and how it can lead to a number of health conditions.

Let’s now look at how to re-balance the gut microbiome and prevent the negative effects of gut dysbiosis.

Your genetic makeup as well as other factors such as how you were born (by caesarian for example) all influence the development of your gut microbiome. However, diet and lifestyle have a much greater impact on the composition of your gut bacteria than anything else.¹

With this in mind, here are ways to improve your gut health!

The aim is to replenish the gut with an abundance of friendly bacteria, increase microbial diversity and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. The goal is to build a resilient community of microbes that can withstand the effects of modern living. To do this, we recommend a gut-health protocol – Kefir, Prebiotics and Collagen:

Eat fermented foods each day such as Kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, and probiotic yoghurt. Kefir contains numerous strains of Lactobacillus which produce lactic acid – a substance that inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
Reduce intake of sugar and processed foods – these can damage the gut lining and encourage the growth of pathogenic bacteria.²
Eat a diverse range of fibre-rich plant foods (pulses, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices). Prebiotic fibres provide the fuel for beneficial bacteria to thrive. “Fibre-depleted diets create a condition ripe for dysbiosis”³
Include as many different colours as possible: plant nutrients such as polyphenols also help to encourage the growth of good bacteria.
Take collagen which has been shown to support a healthy gut lining.
Look after your teeth and general oral hygiene – your mouth can be a source of harmful bacteria.
Keep hydrated – drink at least 1.5 litres of fluids each day.
Regular exercise – Fitness exercise boosts gut diversity⁴
Incorporate a range of antimicrobial vinegars into your routine to give yourself broad-based pathogen protection! Which vinegar is right for you? That depends on which pathogens you have inside your system. The best way to find this information is by taking a microbiome test.

If you’d like to read more on this, check out these articles on our blog – Signs of an unhappy gut – and what you can do about it!, Biofilm – The Beauty and the Beast, Meet your very own commensal bacteria!

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.

GUTDYSBIOSISSERIES

Gut dysbiosis – part 3 – what to do about it

References

Questions? Talk to a Nutritional Therapist on live chat!

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