Digestive well-being is a global obsession, and a lot of the hype surrounding it is concerning bacteria. Your gut is where these microbes end up and, because they are integral for a well-functioning intestine, these little guys do some pretty amazing things for our gut health – and for our skin. That is, provided they are given the right opportunity…

What’s messing around with your gut health in the first place?

There are an estimated 100 trillion bacteria that call your body ‘home’. From the outside of your skin to the inner linings of your gut, they are living & dying & going about their daily lives – which mainly involves keeping you healthy. These residents are known as your microbiome, and like any bacteria, they enjoy the comforts of warm, dark, moist environments; that’s why your gut is their main hangout. Your gut microbes have been extensively researched, and their integral involvement in nutrient absorption, metabolism and immune function are known worldwide.

However, any critical disruption to this fragile ecosystem can cause dysbiosis (a super technical word, which in lay man’s terms translates to “an unhealthy mix of foreign bacteria”). It’s an imbalance that results in an unhappy gut and other associated diseases. Sustaining the good gut bacteria helps correct this condition, but unfortunately most of us are sorely lacking in these beneficial bacteria.

via GIPHY

There is a worldwide epidemic of disruptions to the gut microbiome. Why?

• Poor diet is a major culprit. There’s not enough plant fiber or fermented food in our meal plans, and diets that are high in sugar and other highly processed foods feed & breed the unhealthy bacteria.
• Medications – like antibiotics – kill both your good and bad gut bacteria, which actually end up changing your gut microbial composition for the rest of your life.
• Chronic stress and emotional state also has a detrimental impact on the flourishing of the gut’s natural bacteria.
  
  

Keeping your gut bacteria happy

While our lifestyle choices can really mess with our intestines and internal ecosystem, there’s good news: we can get back on track and keep our guts healthy with the support of prebiotics & probiotics. Most people know about the benefits of probiotics (some of you probably even take a probiotic supplement), but prebiotics are not as well known. They are undigested food fibers which are super important for probiotic survival in the gut – it’s essentially a source of food for them. Prebiotics turn the microbiome of the gut into an even more conducive environment for helpful bacteria, allowing them to really thrive.

For the most part, even if you have dysbiosis, you still house an abundance of good bacteria in your gut; so if you increase their intake of prebiotic fiber, it nourishes the extant probiotics. And the changes can be remarkable! It may result in not only regular bowel movements and weight loss, but also improved mood and even more radiant & healthy skin.

The 2-step process to improve your gut health…

…is simple, and it involves consuming certain types of foods (or supplements) that make great gut food —

Step 1:

Provide a good foundation to your gut by introducing prebiotic foods or supplements by laying the best groundwork for healthy bacteria to do well. Prebiotics are solely plant foods which create a nurturing home in which your good bacteria can live. Jerusalem artichoke, inulin, asparagus, onion, leek, garlic, dandelion greens and under-ripe bananas are among the richest sources of prebiotic fiber.

Step 2:

Bring in the healthy bacteria to feast on the prebiotics, which will then proliferate. Some fermented foods that fit the probiotic-rich criteria are natural yoghurt (with live cultures), sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, kefir and fermented vegetables. Eating these foods also help to replenish the good bacteria and promote better gut health.

Essentially, when you eat a probiotic & prebiotic together – such as cultured yoghurt with banana – you create a synergistic mix. They work as an exceptional team that help nourish, grow and strengthen the numbers of good bacteria in your gut. Alternatively to foods, some supplements – like the Love Your Gut – Daily Biotic Komplex from Ogaenics – offer both prebiotics & probiotics in one simple, symbiotic capsule.

In the end, it’s about constantly moving the scale of imbalance in the right direction to boost your health by improving your good gut bacteria, and it can be as easy as 2 simple steps of eating certain foods at the same time. By doing this, you will not only improve your gut health, but your whole body, to the extent that it shows through your skin. Easy & effective – what’s not to love?

Enjoyed reading this article? Sign up here for our newsletter and get updates, sustainable health & beauty tips, and special offers from our shop – dropped right into your inbox!