Did you know that the human body is the home to huge numbers of various micro-creatures? Trillions of these creatures inhabit our digestive system, skin, eyes, respiratory and excretory organs. It is a symbiotic relationship where neither the critter nor the human can live without the existence of the other. In other words...THE CRITTERS DIE, THEN THE HUMAN DIES. The largest population of critters live within our digestive system. A healthy adult carries 1.5-23 kg of bacteria in the gut. They are a highly organized tiny world with certain species dominating and controlling others. These critters fulfill a plethora of different functions in the body. In fact, if your gut were to be sterlized, you would probably not survive. In a healthy body this tiny little world of critters is fairly stable and adapts to changes in the environment. In fact, these bacteria are an integral part of our immune system. They fight against pathogenic micro-organisms that want to do us harm. Our healthy gut flora does a great job of neutralizing toxins, chelate heavy metals, absorb carcinogenic substances and a long list of other wonderful things. Without healthy gut flora, the digestive system cannot fulfill its function of digesting food and absorbing nutrients. Imagine the havoc that would occur in your body if you cannot digest or absorb nutrients! Actually, I don't have to imagine. I see the results everyday...in my clients, my family and my friends.
Damaged gut flora is a root cause of many of the ailments we routinely suffer from. Let's see what kinds of things:
Constipation, Diarrhea, Lactose intolerance, Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies, Anemia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gastropareisis, many other gut disorders, Eczema, Asthma, Allergies, Learning diabilities, Autism, Schizophrenia, Fibromyalgia, Reflux...and the list goes on.
What Damages the Gut Flora?
1. Antibiotics
We receive antibiotics not only by a conscious decision to take them, but also by eating factory farmed food (not only animals) that is routinely given antibiotics. The antibiotics do not disguish between the friendly bacteria and the pathogenic bacteria. It just wipes them all out. Ultimately the anitbiotics that we take to imprive our health have a directly damaging effect upon our immune system making us more vulnerable to infections...creating a vicious cycle.
2. The Pill
The Pill can have a devasting effect on the gut flora. Once a woman is ready to have children, after being on The Pill for many years, she will have abnormal gut flora. The baby will aquire this abnormal gut flora from its mother...predisposing the child to eczema, asthma, allergies, learning diabilties...and many others.
3. Other Drugs
Most other drugs, particulary those prescribed for long periods will also damage the gut and have a detrimental effect on the flora.
4. Your Diet
What we eat has a direct effect on the composition of the gut flora. A diet based on convenience rather than on nurtition will have a seriously detrimental effect. Sugary foods and processed carbohydrates are the pathogenic bacterias favorite thing to eat. Settin you up for serious gtu trouble
5. Bottle Feeding
Breastfeeding is the one and only opportunity we have in our lives to populate the entire gut with a healthy mixture of bacteria to lay the groundwork for healthy children who grow up to be healthy adults. Bottle-fed babies have their gut populated by a combination of differnt bacteria, which predisposes them later tom any health problems.
6. Disease
Some infectious diseases, like typhoid, cholera, dysentery and some viral infections can cause lasting damage to the gut. Chronic illness, such as diabetes, autoimmune diesase, obesity and others are often accompanied by serious gut flora issues.
7. Stress
Short-term stress can have a usually temporary detrimental effect on gut flora. However, long-term physical or psychological stress can do permanent damage to the gut.
8. Other Factors
Physical exertion. old age, alcoholism, pollution, exposure to toxic substances, seasonal factors, exposure to radiation and extreme climates can all have a profound effect of our friendly bacteria.
Please watch this video od Dr. Natasha Cambell-McBride, author of Gut and Psychology Syndrome. She discusses the many things that can do damage to our guts.
What to do now?
Well first, work on limiting or removing the facotrs that you know will cause damage. Next, you have to work on healing the gut and restoring the proper balance of bacteria.
Want to know more?
Need help with the next steps?
Set up a consultation with me and will talk about your current health issues and how some dietary and lifestyle adjustments can make huge improvements in in your life