Studies show that cultivating diverse and beneficial gut flora is the key to strong immunity, robust digestion, detoxification, balanced moods, balanced hormones, weight loss, and longevity. It is this internal complex ecosystem, our microbiome, which keeps us in good health.

Promote strain diversity.

Greater gut diversity supports overall health and wellbeing. A wide and diverse range of gut microbes that coexist harmoniously produces thousands of health-supportive metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids. Different strains of bacteria feed off different types of food. Ensure diversity in your diet.

Varied Diet.

It is also really important to encourage the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut through a wide variety of food sources, fresh vegetables loaded with phytonutrients (5-7 serves per day, including leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beetroots, carrots, tomatoes, onions, leeks, peas, legumes, sea vegetables), fruit (such as apples, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, oranges, plums, and pomegranite), as well as herbs and spices, nuts and seeds, and quality protein sources.

Eat fermented foods and take probiotics supplements.

Fermented foods are a natural source of probiotics.

Kefir, kombucha, fermented vegetables and pickles/ sauerkraut, natto, miso, tempeh, apple cider vinegar

Eat prebiotic foods.

(*if you have gut issues already, some of these foods may worsen symptoms, so treat the underlying gut issue first).

Asparagus, onions, garlic, leeks, chicory, artichoke, dandelion, slightly green bananas, oats, apples, cacao, flaxseeds, seaweed, cooled potatoes and rice to help encourage the increase of healthy bacteria in the gut.

Find out what’s in there.

A great place to start improving gut health is conducting a functional microbiome stool testing analysis to evaluate a client’s microbiome status.

Address undesirable organisms.

Gut health can quickly become compromised when unwanted and unwelcome microorganisms take up residence. You can have all kinds of digestive symptoms (bloating, reflux, stool fluctuations, pain). Once we know what’s inside your gut, we can treat it properly.

Testing.

If you’d like to know if you have healthy numbers of beneficial bacteria in your gut, or perhaps if you have an imbalance in pathogenic bacteria, then talk to your naturopath about being tested. Stool tests can determine your levels of bacteria, as well as important biochemical markers including digestive absorption and metabolic markers. Testing provides an excellent assessment of digestive function and is not only a good idea for those suffering from suboptimal gut function, but for all of us who are keen to optimise health.

To optimise your health, optimise your gut.

 

The Naturopathic Co. Melbourne Naturopath 2023 Sydney Naturopath, Brisbane Naturopath, Perth Naturopath, Adelaide Naturopath, Tasmania Naturopath, South Yarra Naturopath, Prahran Naturopath, Toorak Naturopath, Armadale Naturopath, Malvern Naturopath, Richmond Naturopath, Cremorne Naturopath, Collingwood Naturopath, Kew Naturopath, Hawthorn Naturopath, Camberwell Naturopath, Carlton Naturopath, East Melbourne Naturopath, Albert Park Naturopath, Windsor Naturopath, Fitzroy Naturopath, Naturopath Sydney, Naturopath Brisbane, Naturopath Perth, Naturopath Adelaide, Naturopath Hobart, Naturopath Melbourne.