How to keep your GUT BACTERIA happy?
As you probably know, your intestines host a diverse population of trillions of helpful bacteria.
Their life purpose it is to feed on our partially digested food. As a side effect, they help the human body extract the nutrients it needs.
The gut bacteria, also known as the gut microbiome, needs to be nurtured so it can positively influence many things such as:
Mood
Depression/anxiety
Brain fog
Inflammation
Skin issues
Joint pain and arthritis
Sleep
Metabolism & weight loss
Blood sugar regulation
Hormone balance
Thyroid health
Sleep
Immune function and AI problems
Unfortunately, the modern food industry isn’t designed for your gut health.
Artificial sweeteners, for example, mess with the bacteria, and may lead to glucose intolerance as a result.
Maintaining a healthy gut means feeding existing bacteria populations with prebiotics, and adding new bacteria by consuming foods rich in probiotics.
Here is what you can do to keep your gut bacteria happy and healthy:
Eat a wide variety of whole foods, including fruits and vegetables of all colors. Each contains a slightly different mix of nutrients for your body, and for the different bacteria populations in your gut.
Eat a variety of fermented foods. They are rich in probiotics. Examples include yogurt and kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi, tempeh and miso, and kombucha.
Eat a variety of fiber-rich foods. The fiber serves as a prebiotic - food for gut bacteria. it’s important to eat a wide range of foods in order to allow multiple bacteria types to flourish. Fiber-rich foods include produce, whole grains, lentils and beans.
Interested to learn more about how you can improve your gut health?
Tommy Markov is a Functional Nutrition Professional and Wellness Educator with a Master’s in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. He specializes in healing the person, not the condition. He is passionate about uncovering the root cause of his client’s ailments and incorporating an integrative mind-body approach.
Tommy’s knowledge of the interconnectedness of body systems helps him identify imbalances before they manifest into dysfunction and disease, allowing for an effective preventative approach.
Tommy has been working in the health and fitness industry since his 20’s, ranging from health clubs, hospitals, medical practices to currently founding his own thriving practice, Living Wellness Solutions, after overcoming his own health challenges.
Tommy has appeared as a guest and expert speaker on numerous podcasts, speaking events, as well as being a nutrition and supplement consultant. Most recently, Tommy became a proud partner of F.L.O.W. Wellness Center in Abington, Pennsylvania, where he incorporates Functional Medicine and Nutrition along with various other healing modalities and practitioners.
