Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Check your Gut Bacteria If..


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How much do you know about your gut bacteria? How much do you know about your immune system health? How much do you know about how gut bacteria effects your brain and overall health?

Recently I did some extensive research on gut microbiome also known as gut bacteria or gut flora. Once again I am left wondering why we are not taught about this in science class or why doctors do not go here first. We have 10 X more bacteria in our bodies than human cells. This bacteria is needed to have a health brain, immune system, skeletal system, bones, and metabolism.

Bad Gut Bacteria
Wow gut bacteria is really important, the good kind of course. Sometimes we end up with bad bacteria in our guts due to eating the wrong foods such as GMOs, processed, refined sugar, fried foods and more. Chronic stress can also effect our gut bacteria along with medications. Those taking prescription drugs are creating within their guts an unhealthy environment by hindering the absorption of valuable vitamins.

The Immune System
Eighty percent of our immune system is located in our guts, eighty percent!!! That is a big percentage of our immune system which many do not know, yes I was there too. Because it is where the largest percentage of our immune system is located it is important to know about it. With this knowledge we can begin to heal our guts, create a healthy gut microbiome, and become healthy.

Signs of Unhealthy Gut Bacteria
While many of these signs could be a sign of another issue go to the gut first. This is especially true if you or someone you know is dealing with more then one.
  • Constipation
  • Chronic Bad Breath
  • Hormonal Issues
  • Vitamin B Deficiency
  • Chronic Anemia
  •  Allergies or Intolerance to Dairy
  • Osteoporosis
  • Prostate Problems
  • And more
Now there are also specific mental and physical health issues our society deals with today that alert us to the fact our gut bacteria is unhealthy.
  • Various Skin Issues (psoriasis/eczema)
  • Issues with Joints (rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Type I Diabetes 
  • Heart Failure
  • Thyroid Issues
  • Various Mental Health Issues (brain fog, depression, autism)
  • Celiac Disease  
  • Weight Issues
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Weight Issues and Gut Bacteria
Studies have shown that gut bacteria contributes to the way we gain weight and loss weight. One study utilized two rodents which were kept away from bacteria. They then took the gut bacteria from two twins, one thin and one with extra weight, and placed their gut bacteria into the rodents. The gut bacteria they received made a difference in how their bodies reacted to being fed the exact same food in the exact same portions. The thin twin's gut bacteria was found to be abound with a variety og healthy gut bacteria while the one with extra weight had less.

Develop Healthy Gut Bacteria
The foods that contribute to healthy gut bacteria are foods which are high in fiber such as vegetables and fruits. Fermented foods and beverages also provide our guts with healthy bacteria to benefit our health. Above all stay away from GMOs (genetically modified organisms,) processed foods, refined sugar, and fried foods.

One of my friend's daughter has eczema really bad on the palm of her hand. She put the whole family on a grain free diet and it is clearing up. During my research I saw no mention of grain, guess more research is needed. This holds true for scientists also who are just now really looking into the gut microbiome.

Conclusion
In conclusion it is plain to see that our gut bacteria plays an important role in our over all health. With this new knowledge we can help ourselves heal, loss weight, and live healthier lifestyles.

Have you discovered the health benefits of tending to your gut bacteria? Oh before you go watch the 11 minute video on the gut microbiome.



13 comments:

  1. Good article Joyce, I personally how important the gut flora is to the health of the whole body and how connected the immune system is to the gut. Food allergies and sensitivities have so much to do with gut flora being out of balance. Unfortunately Dr don't look into the gut health because we are a society of pharmaceutical cures which only makes gut flora worse. Hopefully things are changing - I have heard of more Dr recommending that people take Probiotics recently. Pinned & twitted.

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  2. Thanks for visiting Marla, you are right doctors do not check the gut flora they just throw some meds your way. I had no idea how much of our body was effected by our gut bacteria.

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  3. Good information here! As someone who has Celiac's Disease, I can certainly testify to just how important good gut bacteria is! Thanks for joining us at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week! Feel free to bring a friend with you :) Happy Friday! #TGIF

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    1. Thank you for testimony and stopping by. Maybe some one will see this and together we can help them live a happy, healthy, natural life.

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  4. Great post, I actually didn't realise there was such thing as good gut bacteria. Thanks for popping over Joyce #WhatsYourWeekend

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Michelle. I am glad I was able to share some good information with you. You are not alone many do not know this which was my reason for writing it. I desire a world where we can all live happy, healthy, natural lives. It is also important to know that antibiotics destroy good gut bacteria along with the bad.

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  5. Thanks for posting this. As a sufferer from IBS I had to do a lots of research surrounding the gut, because yeh, doctors just subscribe but don't know what the cause is. There should be way more awareness about this and more research. Thanks for helping with that!

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    1. Yes, that is the issue we have to search on our own to determine how to heal ourselves. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, here's to a happy, healthy, natural life.

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  6. Great article, very informative. I have sent this information to a few relatives that have IBS and I'm sure it will be helpful to them. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Kathy I'm glad I was able to supply some information that can help your family live a happy, healthy, natural lifestyle.

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  7. A few years ago my doctor said to take a probiotic; that's about as far as it went. I tried one and didn't see any effects at that time so I didn't get another bottle. Now that I've lost weight they seem to work.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Cassandra, glad to have another testimony here on the benefits of a healthy gut microbiome.

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  8. Hi Joyce,
    What a valuable and thought-provoking post! I have been concerned about this issue recently due tot the fact that I was prescribed antibiotics on several occasions in the past two years due to dental infections. I was reluctant to take them because I know that they can affect gut bacteria. Despite my healthy diet,I have noticed changes in my weight so I am going to follow up and explore this topic further Thank you for sharing Check Your Gut Bacteria with us at the Plant-based Potluck Party. I sincerely appreciate it. I’m pinning and sharing!

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