Gut Microbiome: What Is It & How It Does Help Your Overall Health?

Gut microbiome refers to trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live inside your body. These bacteria are categorised as good bacteria and they help your body function normally and stay healthy. From taking care of your gut health to building and maintaining your immunity, your gut microbiome is crucial for your overall health. Nutritionists around the world understand the importance of diet in maintaining your gut health. To help you understand its importance, let’s explore the impact of gut microbiome on your overall health. We will also learn how the best dietitian nutritionists in Delhi look at probiotics for gut health and the importance of a probiotic diet in maintaining your health.

What Is Gut Microbiome & How Is It Connected To Your Gut Health?

There are trillions of microorganisms in your intestines. They are mainly present inside a pocket in your large intestines known as the cecum. There are a variety of microorganisms that live in your gut microbiome, however, it is bacteria that is the most studied and whose effects on your health are the most prominent. There are over 1000 species of bacteria in your body all of which collectively weigh around 1 to 2 kgs. Some of these bacteria are helpful for your body and they are termed as good bacteria. The other types of bacteria have the potential to cause diseases and are harmful for your health.

As human beings have evolved, microbes have learned to play a very important role in the health of the human body. Right from the womb and at the time of birth, babies are exposed to microbes for the first time. From there as you grow, your gut microbiome diversifies based on the different types of food you eat. This is why parents always try to diversify the types of food their children eat. The more diversified your gut microbiome is, the better it is for your health. Here are some of the most common ways your gut microbiome is connected to your overall health.

• Strengthening Your Immune System:

If you have a diverse gut microbiome during an infection, it can help the immune system in your body respond to the infection. In certain cases, it can help quickly tackle an infection and stop it from affecting your health.
 

• Fibre Digestion: 

Eating fibre is said to be good for your health and it also helps fight weight gain. However, did you know that your gut microbiome is actually very useful in helping your body digest fibre? Certain bacteria in your gut produce short-chain fatty acids which are crucial for your body to digest fibre.
 

• Helps Brain Health: 

Studies have shown that a healthy gut microbiome helps keep your central nervous system healthy. The central nervous system controls brain function and as such maintaining your gut health can keep your brain healthy.
 

• Digesting Breast Milk: 

Certain types of bacteria grow in the intestines of newborns called Bifidobacteria. These bacteria help break down the healthy sugars in breast milk which are essential for a baby’s growth.

These are some of the most common ways your gut microbiome helps maintain your health. However, to maintain your gut microbiome, you need to indulge in a rich probiotic diet. What is a probiotic diet and how does it help your gut microbiome? Let’s find out.

Probiotics For Gut Health & What Is A Probiotic Diet?

A probiotic diet involves eating probiotic rich food that has live microorganisms in them. These microbes are beneficial for your health and have several health benefits as mentioned above. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective and easily available probiotic rich food that nutritionists recommend. All these food items can be easily incorporated in your probiotic diet.

Yoghurt

Yoghurt is one of the best probiotic sources and it is readily available to be added to your diet. Milk is fermented using probiotic bacteria namely lactic acid and bifidobacteria. Even though it is made from lactic acid, yoghurt doesn’t have lactose and is even suitable for people with lactose intolerance. Some of the best health benefits of eating yoghurt include improved gastrointestinal, bone, and heart health. Help with weight management and lowered risk of diabetes. Regular consumption of yoghurt has also been attributed to a reduction in the risk of colon and breast cancer.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk is the liquid that’s left during the process of making butter. It is readily available in India and is filled with nutrients. It is important to note that traditional buttermilk is the only one that has probiotic benefits. Cultured buttermilk is also readily available in urban centres, but they are devoid of probiotic benefits. This drink is rich in nutrients like vitamins B12, calcium, riboflavin, and phosphorus.

Pickles

Pickles can be made very easily in your kitchen with cucumbers and a salt solution. The preparation time varies, but these homemade pickles are rich in probiotics. It should be noted that pickles made with vinegar often don’t have any probiotic value. It is only pickles made with salt solution that have the health benefits you want. Pickles are great for your digestive health and are rich in vitamin K, which is an essential nutrient that helps blood clotting. Also as pickles are rich in sodium, make sure you have them in limited quantities.

Cheese

Certain types of cheese are rich in probiotics like cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and cottage cheese. The cheese that is aged for a long time is generally not rich in probiotics. You should look for the term live or active cultures on the packaging of the cheese if you want cheese that’s rich in probiotics. Cheese is also rich in other beneficial nutrients like zinc, selenium, calcium, iodine, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins A, K, D, B12, and B6.

Conclusion

Eating a balanced diet that is rich in the food items mentioned above will help you cultivate a healthy gut microbiome. As a result, you will have better immunity and protection against infections and infectious diseases. It also helps with your general well-being and can even help improve symptoms of depression. So, make sure you follow this diet that has been recommended by nutritionists across the globe.

To learn more about your gut microbiome or gut health, check out MASSH. We specialise in functional medicine that revolves around helping patients improve general health and prevent illnesses from the get go. Check out our websites to learn more or visit us today to avail our world class medical services.