Here’s some news that might surprise you; your body has more bacteria than human cells. You have approximately 40 trillion bacterial cells within your system, and a mere 30 trillion human ones. Everyone carries up to two kilograms (kgs) of microbes within their gut, which breaks down to an estimated 10,000 unique species and tens of trillions of individual organisms. And, while a third of this concentration of bacteria is the same for most people, up to two-thirds are unique to you, almost like a digestive fingerprint. When referenced collectively, these microbes are known as your gut microbiome. They create an “ecosystem” composed of both symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria that dwell together. Some of these bacteria merely tag along without contributing much to your body, while others are helpful or harmful to your wellbeing. By keeping your microbiome well-balanced through a healthy lifestyle, you can prevent potentially dangerous microbes from becoming established.
When functioning well, your gut microbiome will:
- Aid the digestive process for foods that are challenging for the stomach or small intestine to digest
- Help your system produce and utilize B and K vitamins
- Prevent pathogenic microorganisms from invading
- Bolster the immune system to control how it responds to infections
- Help break down fiber to improve your health
- Improve central nervous system functioning for better brain health.
Note: While microbes in the microbiome can also include viruses, fungi and
other forms of microscopic organisms, bacteria are the most studied and what
we are primarily referencing in this article.
When you eat a meal, your stomach and small intestine will inevitably struggle
to digest certain compounds within it. This is where microbes come into the
picture. Many varieties work to break down the particles in your food, which
helps your system extract the vitamins and nutrients it contains.
However, these bacteria do even more for your health. Below are some of the
most significant benefits of maintaining a well-functioning microbiome.
1. Maintains Your Metabolism
2. Promotes a Stronger Immune System
3. Improves Heart Health
4. Controls the Gut-Brain Axis
5. Reduces Risk of Weight Gain
Getting in prebiotics, probiotics, greens and low sugar fruit will help keep your gut functioning at its fullest.
This post is a small sample of the information covered each week in the StayConnected™ Mini-CE Coaching Calls. All coaching calls are recorded and StayConnected™ members have access to the entire archive through their StayConnected™ dashboard. It’s just one of the many benefits of staying connected to HLS.