The Importance of Your Microbiome
Everyone knows having a healthy body, in general, is good for you so it should come as no surprise that having a healthy gut is also critical. But just how important is a healthy gut for our overall health?
Gut health is one of the most important aspects of our overall health.
A healthy gut has many great effects and in general, will help prevent digestion issues. In the long run, this means you'll reduce the likelihood of diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Your gut health affects the entire body.
A common misconception is that what goes on inside the gut only affects the gut. People envision a healthy gut preventing gut-related issues such as bloating or pain. However, your gut connects to the rest of the body from your brain to your nervous system. And the key player in your gut to maintaining a healthy relationship with your entire body is your microbiome.
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By application onlyClick for Executive Health Coaching or Executive Health Navigation with Dr. DooreckWhat is the Microbiome?
The bacteria and microorganisms that make up the stomach and small intestines are called the microbiome. It is the "gut bacteria" in simpler terms. We can refer to it also as "gut health."
How do you get a healthy microbiome?
Firstly, everyone has a unique microbiome, there is no one size fits all version of the microbiome as it varies from person to person based on their diet, environment, stress levels, medications, and even how they were born. That last part may come as a bit of a surprise, but the truth is that vaginal birth leads to a more diverse microbiome, than delivery via Cesarean section. This is because the birth canal provides exposure to a wide pool of diverse bacteria.
Chronic conditions that may be prevented by a healthy microbiome include:
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Obesity
Certain Cancers
Depression
Here's a great video "Why is the gut microbiome important" by the Microbiology Society
But how do I maintain a healthy microbiome?
Maintaining a healthy gut isn't something done once, it's a consistent effort and does require some lifestyle changes. While there are many steps to be done that will allow you to maintain a healthy microbiome some key factors include a healthy diet and managing your stress.
What does a proper diet look like?
Limit dairy
Limit red meat
Limit processed meat
Limit sugars
Eat fiber (20 to 40 grams per day typically is recommended by eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds; but introduce more fiber slowly to avoid bloating, and drink plenty of water)
Personally
I eat a high fiber, mostly plant-based 🌱 diet, no red meat, drink 4 liters of water a day, exercise, and am focused on keeping nutrition simple. I am sharing what works for me and what I routinely recommend to my patients.
"Balance. Portion control. Keep nutrition simple. Eat Smart. Eat Healthy. 🌱 🌾 🌿"
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