The Human Microbiome Project was launched in 2007 with the goal of analyzing the human microbiome and its role in human health and diseases. While experts and practitioners are aware that the bacterial cells outnumber human cells by tenfold, the characteristics and diversity of the human microbiota are mostly unknown. Through this study, understanding of how a healthy gut diet plan can influence a person’s overall health has deepened. With over one hundred thousand genes thriving inside the human body, what we know of the human microbiome is just the tip of the iceberg.
What Makes A Healthy Gut?
Restoring your digestive health means creating a good mix of bacteria in your gut. Ideally, there should be at least 400 to 500 species of microbes within a person’s gut. However, this number can vary from one individual to another and from one race to another. They include:
- The Firmicutes are the bacteria responsible for energy extraction from food. Individuals with a high-fat diet have higher levels of Firmicutes in their gut. Growing infants and children can benefit from Firmicutes. Efficient harvesting of energy from the food they eat will help nourish growing children.
- The Bacteroidetes (along with the Firmicutes,) make up 90% of the human gut microbiota. They help lower fat deposition by converting carbohydrates to short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Short chain fatty acids are crucial in many metabolic processes. SCFAs can also help prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, and obesity.
- A relatively small presence of Proteobacteria in the gut is healthy. However, an increase of Proteobacteria is indicative of dysbiosis. An increase in fat consumption has been linked to the rise in Proteobacteria.
- Actinobacteria, which includes probiotic heavyweight Bifidobacterium, can restore the balance of bacteria, production of vitamins and improvement of the mucosal gut lining.
A Lifestyle that Hinders Gut Health
Our gut bacteria are under constant stress. The body’s response to life’s daily stressors can include a weakened immune system, lower appetite, and inflammation. Similarly, immediately turning to antibiotics and over-medicating contributes to our gut bacteria’s dysbiosis.
However, the modern diet that is high in refined carbohydrates and sugars and low in fiber has been negatively impacting our gut health. The National Center for Health Statistics of 2016 estimates that 93.3 million adults suffer from obesity. It’s not hard to understand why obesity-related health issues such as heart diseases, stroke, and diabetes are the leading causes of death. Clearly, looking at what you eat and starting a healthy gut diet plan and finally restoring your digestive health.
Restoring Your Digestive Health Starts with a Healthy Gut Diet Plan
A malleable and highly-individual microbiota supports the claim that a healthy gut diet plan is central to restoring your digestive health and personal well-being. With this in mind, a number of innovative companies have been pursuing the path towards a healthier gut.
- Nature’s Way was the result of Tom Murdock’s quest for a healthy gut diet plan as a way to improve his wife’s health. Fifty years since the company was founded in 1969, Nature’s Way is now regarded as a preeminent brand of quality dietary supplements, with over 1,000 products.
- Blue Planet Chocolate brings 250 million live spores per chocolate square. That’s probiotics for your gut health for every bite.
- Probi is a world leader in probiotics founded in Sweden back in 1991. Now a multinational company in three continents, Probi presents a wide range of dietary, food, and beverage products.
- Good Belly Probiotics believes that health starts in your belly. Their product line-up includes juice drinks, shots, probiotics-infused drinks, protein shakes, nutrition bars, and supplements. With a wide range of choices, a healthy gut diet plan is within reach.
A robust and thriving gut microbiome is essential to overall health. The bacteria in our gut help us extract energy and nutrients from our food and aid in the production of essential vitamins and amino acids. We can also count on these bacteria to help regulate our immune system and protect us against disease-causing microbes and pathogens. With all these benefits, formulating a healthy gut diet plan is a crucial step towards restoring your digestive health.
For more of Bold Business’ series on gut health, check out this story on Dr. Steven Gundry or this one on functional dyspepsia treatment
