A huge step toward health, rescuing gut flora

When it comes to our health, good nutrition is probably the most important issue. But nutrition depends on the absorption of the foods we eat, and a healthy intestinal micro flora is a must to obtain the best from our meals: carbs, proteins, minerals, vitamins. Therefore, these friendly bacteria dwelling our guts are the key to extract the constituent of every food we eat.

One thousand trillion is a huge number to imagine, but that´s the population of gut flora individuals inside us, with hundreds of species aligning in such a digestive army. Some authors have called this enormous, metabolic colony a forgotten organ.

Gut flora plays a key role not only in fermentation and absorption, but also as an epithelial cells cropper, lymphoid tissue grower, pathogen repressor, mucosal immune system controller, allergy preventer and anti-inflammatory agent. This is only a glimpse on its importance for health.

In the digestive area, the escalating consumption of the so popular fast-foods (usually highly processed, acidic and loaded with chemical toxins) is leading to a massive gut flora killing behavior. As a result, millions of people from around the world are rapidly losing their health.

Heavily-clogged intestine walls and subsequent developing of harmful bacteria is merely one of the outlays of a poor gut flora. Cancer is also in the scene, since there are some bacteria genera (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, for example) closely linked to cancer prevention, while some harmful bacteria like Clostridium are associated with the opposite effect.

Inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, depression, gastritis, some diarrheas and even obesity are also related to a poor intestinal flora or an alteration in its balance. The excessive use of antibiotics, especially the broad-spectrum ones, is another important cause of a distressed gut flora.

Already known their enemies –many of them perfectly evitable with an intelligent conduct, let´s talk about some natural foods and practices which promote a balanced growing of Sarcina, Yersinia, Aeromonas and Bacillus, among many other genera present in the stomach and intestines for good reasons.

Giving a break to our digestive system is a must in some cultures. Fasting was the first way in which even our ancestors used to deal with digestive issues. Abstaining from some kind of food or even all of them is a good idea from time to time; even if there is not a recommended time-span to do so. Every individual should find its own way to do it.

Of course, water should never be fasted. Instead, drinking enough of it will contribute to a better cleansing. Eating probiotics foods have to be considered to the maintenance and growing of a healthy gut flora. These meals include kefir, yogurt, dietetic fiber, green leafy vegetables, beans, fruits and some cheeses. Rescuing intestinal flora will be the best possible output to your health.