Microbiome? What’s That?! From the surface of your skin into the coils of your intestine, you are covered with living (and dying) microbial species. These bacteria that live in and on your body are referred to as the microbiome. This name is one you’ll want to get familiar with as the microbiome has a direct effect on your mood, mind, and body.
Over 100 trillion microbes with the name of microbiota have made your gut their home. These microscopic friends can be named your greatest ally or your worst enemy when it comes to feeling well and staying healthy.
The microbiota makes up 70% of our immune system and directs the absorption of nutrients and calories that are absorbed into the bloodstream. As if that’s not enough they also play an integral part in regulating your nervous, muscular and cardiovascular systems.
90% of your serotonin is produced in the gut by a healthy microbiome as is 20% of your active thyroid hormone — think wonderful sleep, mood, and metabolism here.
If, however, the microbiome is not healthy, serotonin and T3 levels drop and those functions, among others, decreases— cue the exhaustion, exaggerated stress response, and loss of energy here.
When the permeability of the gut wall increases, allowing large incompletely digested molecules to pass into the blood, the gut is then considered “leaky” — and there you have it, the “leaky gut”.
What is causing this leaky gut, Doc?
You’ve been feeling a drop in your mood and energy and are trying to figure out why. Here are common factors that compromise the gut microbiota that could be causing your leaky gut:
- Medications
- Food coloring
- Fluoride
- Chlorine
- GMO glyphosate treated foods
- Artificial sweeteners
- Antibiotics
- Hormonal changes
- Life stressors
- TBI(Traumatic Brain Injury)
How to get back to a healthy, happy tummy
The good news is a leaky gut is reversible. It has been shown that removal of these and other damaging elements from our diets and lifestyles with the addition of:
- Probiotics
- Fermented foods
- Soluble plant fibers
- Organic plant-based diets
We can restore your damaged gut and rebuild the microbiota so it’s back to its normal protective functions in helping you feel your best self.
In our world today, with access to scientific and clinical information, I encourage all of us to work on preserving or restoring our gut to improve our overall health and by doing so, resolving many of the conditions, diseases or illness that we see in our clinic every day. This, together with lifestyle changes can add vigor and joy to life and help prepare for the future and all that it has to offer.
If you are not sure where to start, schedule a free consultation here at Integrated Wellness, or if you know that you are ready to start the process, an exam and treatment, and let us help you learn and apply the important principles that will set you free and assure a happier future. We are anxious and happy to help!