Today, more than ever, we are reading about the gut, brain, immune, hormonal and microbiome connections. Did you know that your gut microbiome is responsible for most of your body’s immunological decisions, mental and brain health, inflammation, vitality, metabolism, food cravings, weight and disease management? In fact, it even impacts how you think and feel.

How many microbes do you have?

It is estimated that the microbial cells that make up your microbiome, outnumber human cells by 10 to 1. Your microbiome is essentially a bacterial ecosystem that lives in your gastrointestinal tract. Importantly, one of its main roles is to help break down food so that nutrients and energy can be absorbed. Modern diets and lifestyles are continually threatening the microbiome that lives throughout the human body. That's why, when it falls out of balance, you simply become ill.

What’s disrupting your Microbiome?

• Poor dietary choices including fast and processed foods, sugar, alcohol, coffee and preservatives
• Not enough fibre, fruit and vegetables
• The pesticides and toxins in and on your fruit, vegetables and food
• Pharmaceutical medications including antibiotics
• Stress
• Moulds and chemical pollutants
• Poor oral health
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Too much or not enough exercise
• Smoking

Simple ways to improve your Microbiome

• Eat good fresh whole food - a good range of fruit and vegetables will ensure your get the fibre and natural prebiotics needed to nourish your gut microbiome
• Avoid processed foods and sugar
• Choose organic food (optimal) or thoroughly wash your fruit and vegetables.
• Include fermented foods in your diet
• Wash your hands with (natural) soap before putting them near your mouth and before eating (gone are the days when it was more beneficial not to wash your hands)
• Consider a course of probiotics, especially if you have been on antibiotics, had an illness at home or on holidays, are stressed or have a poor diet
• Brush your teeth regularly, plus ask your dentist about maintaining good oral health
• Avoid using harsh chemicals

As well as establishing a healthy gut microbiome it is also important to address other factors such as your environmental surroundings as these can play havoc with your body’s biochemical and genetic pathways.

Maintaining your gut Microbiome

It’s never too late to improve your gut microbiome. You’ve probably noticed how good you feel after a holiday of rest, relaxation and good food choices.  Consider that in the short time you were on vacation your microbiome changed for the better. And yet despite that, within a few days of slotting back into your old routine and habits, the euphoria of your holiday is all but gone. The solution is simple. All you have to do is learn from the food choices you made and the opportunities you had to exercise and relax while you were on vacation. Easier said than done!

Discover how your gut impacts your health… every day!

Join Mr Vitamin’s Naturopath Janne Ramsay (the Gut Gal) as she takes you through an informative and fun presentation on the basics of healthy digestion and gut health. Or book an appointment to start your journey to better gut health and vitality or to discuss any other health concerns that you have.

Naturopath Janne Ramsay

Janne Ramsay Naturopath has a special interest in digestive health and specialises in treating people with gut issues. Janne is passionate about the ongoing developments in gut health and the use of probiotics and the role they play in your health. She specialises in identifying the root cause of the problems that her patients are experiencing and then tailors an individual treatment protocol for them. To achieve good health and wellness in 2017 make an appointment with Janne to review your health and learn more about maintaining better wellness and energy… Learn more about Janne here...