Microbiome – the key to your weight and health

The microbiome in your body play a crucial role in your health, well-being and weight.  But what are they?

Microbiome is invisible, non-human and make up almost 90% of your body.  About 100 trillion friendly fungal and bacterial cells are found all over your GI (gastrointestinal) tract and skin from the moment you move down the birth canal.  If you didn’t have microbiome you would be three pounds lighter…but sadly dead!

By looking after your microbiome, you can help your immune system, reduce inflammation, lose weight and improve your health.  Remember that if your body is under stress it messages the brain to hold on to fat and your metabolism slows down.  I hope this Blog helps you to switch your food intake to healthy fats and fibre rich vegetables to save your microbiome and understand the dysbiosis (activity of the gut microbiota).

What do you need to know about Microbiome and your health?

• An imbalance of your GI bacteria makes losing weight harder
• Microbiome provide your body with one third of its immunity
• Antibiotics, aspirin and ibuprofen reduce your microbiome
• Being too clean is not good – sanitizers kill both good and bad bacteria
• Microbiome in each person is individualised
• Most bacteria live in your colon and they break down fibre to feed your body
• Microbiomes affect all the chemical reactions in your body

What can you do to increase good microbiome in your body?

• Cut out or reduce animal products
• Avoid sugar, soya, peanuts/peanut butter, processed meats, juices
• Eat gluten free grains such as millet and sorghum
• Eat sauerkraut, miso, sheep’s yoghurt, kefir
• Eat more leeks, onions, garlic, carrots, asparagus and tomatoes, turmeric, cinnamon and cumin
• Remove trans fats and hydrogenated fat, preservatives/additives and GMO food
• Eat almonds, brazil, macadamia and walnuts
• Include supplements (prebiotics and probiotics)

The above two lists are a general guide to encourage you to remove the bad bacteria and replace it with good microbiome.  A Mediterranean diet of whole grains, high fibre, beans/legumes, good fats such as olive, MCT, coconut and avocado oils show positive changes in the microbial population.

You will need to decide if you want to reset your gut flora on a strict programme first and then adopt a sustainable routine after the cleansing phase.  Some of these foods that you avoid can be introduced slowly and occasionally once you have a replenished healthy gut.

Please feel free to contact me for a more personalised approach.

While homeopaths and naturopaths understood the importance of gut health several decades ago, scientific evidence is only recently catching up.  In 2016 the Obama government and private sector in the USA announced an investment of $100 million for the study of microbiome. The National Microbiome Initiative aims to develop and progress microbiome research because of the astounding planetary and human benefits.

Research takes an average of about 17 years before it is included in the advice that we receive from Doctors.  Many people are left trying to find information on google which can be unsubstantiated and difficult to read.  While microbiome scientific research is still in the early stages, studies show that your level of certain microbiome such as Akkermansia, which makes up about 5% of your bacteria, will be lower if your body mass index is high (BMI).  In other words, the more fat you have the lower your good bacteria.  There are also positive results that show a stronger more positive response to treatment with cancer patients and other inflammatory diseases with increased levels of Akkermansia.   Some scientists call this beneficial bacteria ‘the next generation’ compared to Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus which many people already consume in their diets or supplements.

The proportion of obese and overweight populations is still increasing with an excess of 6000 million adults and 100 million children suffering. However, the scientific community is optimistic that further studies of microbiomes and gut health will reveal additional evidence to improve our dietary habits, weight management, diseases and overall wellbeing.

I hope you enjoy getting to know your trillions of guests and feed them well….