Ranging from food intolerances to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), to heartburn and diarrhea, 43% of the UK population have experienced digestive problems in their lifetimes (Guts UK, 2020).
Most of us have heard the term “gut health” and know that keeping it in good standing is desirable. Although you may not give your gut much thought beyond how your digestive system operates, your gut is home to microbes and bacteria that play a crucial role in your overall well-being. It turns out that stomach issues cause a lot more than just physical discomfort.
So how can these microbes affect so many aspects of our health?
Meditsimple has partnered with the brand new Gastroenterology department of the Kensington International Clinic to answer this question and discuss the steps we can take to preserve your well-being through a healthy microbiome.
What is the gut microbiome?
Essentially, gut microbiome refers to the microorganisms (microbes, viruses, fungi) living in our intestines. Scientists estimate that roughly 100,000 billion microbes live in our digestive tract (this is 5,000 times the world population!). While some microorganisms are harmful to our health, many are incredibly beneficial and even necessary to a healthy body.
Every gut microbiome is unique: the type of bacteria varies significantly from one individual to another.
The microbiome is acquired at birth and evolves continuously as we age. Babies get their first big exposure to microbes during delivery in the birth canal and through the mother’s breast milk later on. Breast milk contains the exact nutrients a baby needs—and the right bacteria, too. These bacteria jump start the baby’s immune and digestive systems, and even shape brain development.
Altogether, these microbes may weigh as much as 1 to 2 kg: this is roughly the weight of your brain!
In a healthy body, these trillions of “bugs” coexist peacefully. The microbiome is even labeled a supporting organ because it plays so many key roles in promoting the smooth daily operations of the human body.
But what if the balance between symbiotic (beneficial bacteria) and pathogenic (promoting disease) bacteria is disturbed (dysbiosis)?
Why should I care about my gut health?
The human microbiota can be damaged by high stress levels, too little sleep, a nutrition based mostly on processed and industrialized food. 80% of your immune system is in the gut. An unstable microbiota is sadly synonymous with diseases down the road.
A plethora of conditions appear to be linked to the microbes inside our intestines:
- Obesity
- Mood swings and other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression
- Skin disorder (eczema for example)
- Heart conditions
- Diabetes
- Liver diseases
- Oral health problems (e.g. tooth decay)
- Neural development
And the list is growing, as scientific studies keep reinforcing the importance of the gut-brain connection.
Scientists have proved that when you are nervous, you are getting signals from your second brain hidden in the walls of the digestive system: the “brain in your gut”. This second brain exerts a powerful influence over the one in your skull. Even mild stress can challenge the microbial balance in the gut, making you more vulnerable to infectious disease.
But don’t worry, MeditSimple has your back! Here is a guide to keeping your microbiome in good shape.
Know more with the Centre of Excellence for Digestive Health
Ready to preserve your second brain?
The key to happier hormones (so better health!) is maintaining a diverse and balanced microbiome.
1) If you suspect a gut imbalance could be affecting your overall health, you may first consider talking with your doctor about about any symptoms of digestive discomforts you may have noticed.
2) In order to reset your metabolism and stimulate healthy bacterial growth, you will need to get an analysis of your microbiome. Kensington International Clinic offers different packages of tests. They all include a questionnaire, medical consultation, and stool analysis. The results are delivered in a comprehensive medical report, followed by another consultation to discuss prescriptions and personalised micronutrition advices.
Our experts from the Centre of Excellence for Gastroenterology propose a multifaceted approach to manage gastrointestinal pains that involves rebalancing the gut microbiome through diet, probiotics, and specific lifestyle changes. Their treatment plan is carefully tailored to every patient’s needs. Their objective is to cultivate this inner ecosystem in ways that could prevent- and possibly treat- anxiety, changing moods, weakness of the immune system.
Book an appointment with one of their Health Professionals today!
3) It’s time to change your habits!
Did you know that you can help support the growth of healthy microbes in your gut every day? We give you a few tricks! Specifically, our experts in gastroenterology call for:
- A healthy diet of fruits and vegetables. Eating the right foods feeds happy bacteria. This reduces stress and inflammation, as well as protects your mental wellbeing.
- Take Prebiotics, a type of fiber on which useful microbes can thrive. Food rich in prebiotic include artichokes, bananas, asparagus, oats and apples. Prebiotics transform gut bacteria into good things like vitamins.
- Take Probiotics (naturally in the gut) found in fermented foods, like yoghurt and kefir. They contribute to restoring the gut health after dysbiosis, by “reseeding” it with healthy microbes. Species like Lactobacillus help alleviate symptoms of depression.
But as a rule of thumb, better choosing his food is the most efficient way to restore the composition of the gut microbiome.
- Avoid antibiotics, they are not gut-friendly! They contribute to the degradation of the intestinal flora, because while destroying dangerous bacteria, they also attack the good bacteria of the human microbiota.
- Lifestyle habits, including exercise, sleep and stress reduction.
Ready to listen to your gut?
Your gut microbiome is the foundation of your health. Depending on the strain, you can make these bacteria a friend or foe to your body. Learn how to preserve it, and explore our Centre of Excellence for gastroenterology today !
Centre of Excellence for Gastroenterology
For more information about the impact of microbiome imbalance on your health (weight, mental health, immunity etc), check out our series of articles on gastrointestinal health below!
References
Why the Gut Microbiome Is Crucial for Your Health- Healthline
10 Ways to Strengthen Your Microbiome- Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
The Microbiome- Harvard School of Public Health
Digestive Problems: An Overview- Push Doctor
DIGESTING THE FACTS: What people are thinking about their digestive health- Core UK
