Homemade Kombucha What is in your Gut?
Did you know that 60-70% of your immune system lives in your gut? We all have a combination of "Healthy Gut Bacteria" and "Bad bacteria" in our system. The key is to make sure that the Healthy bacteria takes over the bad bacteria to make sure we stay healthy and strong. To keep the healthy bacteria thriving and the bad bacteria from taking over, we need to be mindful of what we are putting into our bodies. Having a healthy gut means a healthier you.. so here's what you should know:
What are Probiotics?
Lately we are surrounded by it.. "High in Probiotics, Great Source of Prebiotics and Probiotics... But what does that mean anyways?
Probiotics are organisms such as yeast or bacteria that are believed to improve health through whole foods and supplements. We have over 500 different types of bacteria in our Digestive System that work to keep the intestines healthy, assist in digesting food, as well as strengthening our immune systems. Probiotics are especially helpful when taking antibiotics, as the antibiotics are wiping out both the good and the bad bacteria in our systems to fight infection.
What are the Best Sources of Probiotics?
Did you know that 60-70% of your immune system lives in your gut? We all have a combination of "Healthy Gut Bacteria" and "Bad bacteria" in our system. The key is to make sure that the Healthy bacteria takes over the bad bacteria to make sure we stay healthy and strong. To keep the healthy bacteria thriving and the bad bacteria from taking over, we need to be mindful of what we are putting into our bodies. Having a healthy gut means a healthier you.. so here's what you should know:
What are Probiotics?
Lately we are surrounded by it.. "High in Probiotics, Great Source of Prebiotics and Probiotics... But what does that mean anyways?
Probiotics are organisms such as yeast or bacteria that are believed to improve health through whole foods and supplements. We have over 500 different types of bacteria in our Digestive System that work to keep the intestines healthy, assist in digesting food, as well as strengthening our immune systems. Probiotics are especially helpful when taking antibiotics, as the antibiotics are wiping out both the good and the bad bacteria in our systems to fight infection.
What are the Best Sources of Probiotics?
Probiotics can be found in many whole food sources such as fermented foods which contain large amounts of healthy bacteria. Some examples of fermented foods are miso, sauerkraut, kimmchi, kefir, tempeh, kombucha, pickled vegetables (make sure these don't contain vinegar to ferment and that they are fermented using a sea salt brine, also watch out for "pasteurized" as this also kills the healthy bacteria. One of my favourite companies for ferments is called Alchemy Pickle Company which is located in Toronto and can be found at various farmer's markets.
What else can I do to improve my Healthy Gut Bacteria?
Stay hydrated.. yup! I know I say this about pretty much everything but that's because it is so important for every body function! Your gut needs water to keep things moving through your digestive system and also to help prevent bloating and constipation. Staying hydrated helps us to stay alkaline.. if we are dehydrated too much acid builds up in our system which causes inflammation. I usually reccomend about 1.5- 2 litres of water on average and more if you are exercising. For every 1 hour of exercise you need an extra 1 litre of water.
Lower Consumption of Refined and Processed Foods. Your bad bacteria feeds off of refined and processed sugars. Minimize these as much as possible and choose more natural, whole food sources.
Avoid Antibiotics whenever possible and when taking them always supplement with a good quality probiotic afterwards to help replenish the healthy gut bacteria.
What else can I do to improve my Healthy Gut Bacteria?
Stay hydrated.. yup! I know I say this about pretty much everything but that's because it is so important for every body function! Your gut needs water to keep things moving through your digestive system and also to help prevent bloating and constipation. Staying hydrated helps us to stay alkaline.. if we are dehydrated too much acid builds up in our system which causes inflammation. I usually reccomend about 1.5- 2 litres of water on average and more if you are exercising. For every 1 hour of exercise you need an extra 1 litre of water.
Lower Consumption of Refined and Processed Foods. Your bad bacteria feeds off of refined and processed sugars. Minimize these as much as possible and choose more natural, whole food sources.
Avoid Antibiotics whenever possible and when taking them always supplement with a good quality probiotic afterwards to help replenish the healthy gut bacteria.
Nature = Less Stress!! Stress Less! We've all been there.. when you are so stressed that you can feel it in your stomach. Stress causes our bodies to go into "Fight or Flight" mode which slows everything down, including Digestion, just to be able to cope. I know this is easier said than done but using coping mechanisms to lower stress can be really helpful. Try deep breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, taking breaks, and going for long walks outdoors. It's amazing what a breath of fresh air can do sometimes!
I hope that you find this helpful! Remember, By increasing your healthy gut bacteria you are also Boosting Your Immune System.. we can all use a little boosting there! Who wants to be sick when we are heading into summer?!
What are you already doing to improve your gut? We would love to hear from you!! Also, Check out our NEW Upcoming Classes for June!
Please leave a comment and share, we are looking forward to hearing from you!!
I hope that you find this helpful! Remember, By increasing your healthy gut bacteria you are also Boosting Your Immune System.. we can all use a little boosting there! Who wants to be sick when we are heading into summer?!
What are you already doing to improve your gut? We would love to hear from you!! Also, Check out our NEW Upcoming Classes for June!
Please leave a comment and share, we are looking forward to hearing from you!!
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