Many people may ask how they can know if their gut microbiome is balanced and what they need to do to keep it that way. Knowing that a balanced microbiome is fundamental to good health, we should strive to keep it that way by getting enough sleep, following a balanced diet and avoiding stress whenever possible.
A balanced intestinal microbiota (the plethora of bacteria that naturally reside in the gut) is now known to be at the core of good health. In fact, 70% to 80% of our immune system resides in the gut regulated by the interplay and communication between immune cells, gut bacteria and the harmful viruses and bacteria we are exposed to.
Estimates are that the gut may contain as many as 100 trillion individual bacteria weighing an estimated 2kg, some performing helpful functions others potentially causing health concerns. At this time more than 35,000 individual species and over 7,000 strains have been classified, each of them, providing a unique contribution to our organism.
How can I know if my microbiome is in balance?
The human body is thought of by many as being a perfectly designed "machine", one that aims to maintain harmony and balance through all its various systems.
A healthy balance in the gut microbiome can be aided by the consumption of foods rich in good bacteria like live yogurt and kefir. You can also increase your consumption of fibre by eating more fresh fruit and vegetables, which feed the good gut bacteria.
Factors that can cause an imbalance in your microbiome
It can be difficult to keep your gut microbiome in balance all the time. Certain medications, a bad diet and stress all pull in the opposite direction contributing to a state of microbial imbalance by reducing numbers of good bacteria as well as bacterial diversity. A reduction in good bacteria provides room for bad bacteria to flourish ,which can manifest itself as diarrhea, constipation, bloating and gas. If this disbalanced condition deepens and/or becomes chronic, health consequences such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome may even manifest themselves.
Fortunately, science is constantly evolving and we now know that as well as giving attention to our diet and lifestyle there are various active steps we can take to maintain a balanced microbiome. The use of supplemental probiotics for instance has become increasingly popular We will examine these in more detail in a subsequent article.
