We are more bug than human!

Yep that’s right! The number of bacteria living in our gut (100 trillion) outweigh the number of actual human cells we have in the body by 10:1. Eww- I’m a giant walking bug!

You can even blame 5 pounds of your body weight onto your gut micro biome, but what you really want to be concerned about is getting the balance of good bacteria right. It is common knowledge that antibiotics throw the balance of good and bad bacteria out of wack but so too does:

·         

*         * A diet high in sugar and processed foods

·         * Alcohol

·         * Artificial sweeteners

·         * Chemical sprays on your fruit and veggies

·         * Anti-bacterial soaps      and

·         * STRESS

Your gut micro biome plays a major role in your mood, food cravings, irritable bowel symptoms, obesity, your immune system and chronic illness. While it is just become a major topic amongst health professionals and even the media, Hippocrates (the father of modern medicine) 2000 years ago said “All chronic disease begins in the gut” Go figure?

So, it is really important to take a probiotic but which one to take? Well, it’s a bit like shopping for a dress- very individual and you may like to shop around to see what suits you. The best way is to rotate the different kinds/brands you use to increase the variety of species to which you are exposed.

However, taking a probiotic whilst still eating a crappy diet will not be as effective- damn it! Also eating probiotic rich foods like sauerkraut, good quality yoghurt and drinking kombucha (a fermented tea drink) will have an even greater impact.  We all love to look after our pets so feed your bugs well- they love lots of fibre from fruit and vegies but sugar and refined food will feed your bad bacteria such as Candida Albicans. The nasty bug that causes things like thrush, gas and fatigue!

And finally- Let your kids eat dirt!