How do you know if your internal microbiome is healthy and happy?
The health of the intestinal flora is essential for the whole body. Certain habits can destroy this natural protective barrier, which is why it is essential to consume foods that help restore it.
The intestinal flora plays a very important role in the health of the intestines and the whole body. In today’s article, I will show you how to restore your gut flora naturally, so that your bowels function optimally.
Interestingly, the food that you eat greatly affects the types of bacteria that live inside you.
The intestinal flora is involved in the metabolic processes, in the absorption of vitamins and minerals, in the functioning of the immune system, and in regulating the energy level in the body.
Improper nutrition, antibiotic use, and other factors constantly destroy the gut flora.
Gut health refers to the balance of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract. Looking after the health of the gut and maintaining the right balance of these microorganisms is vital for physical and mental health, immunity, and more.
These bacteria, yeasts, and viruses — of which there are around 100 trillion — are also called the “gut microbiome” or “gut flora.”
Many microbes are beneficial for human health, and some are even essential. Others can be harmful, especially when they multiply.
What it is and how to restore the intestinal flora
Intestinal flora is a group of microorganisms that begin to form in the human body immediately after birth. As a result of contact with the environment in which we live, the flora continues to develop in the digestive tract.
The bacterial flora is composed of millions of bacteria from hundreds of different species. These create a level of acidity in the intestines that impedes the development of other microorganisms.
What factors change the gut flora?
There are many factors that alter or destroy the intestinal flora:
- Acid and processed foods, sugar, refined flour, fats, and saturated fats.
- Stressful periods. Stress has a negative impact on health. Changes in the gut flora weaken the immune system and predispose the body to illness.
- Certain medications, such as antibiotics.
- Chronic bowel disease.
Below I will show you what…
Foods you are advised to consume to restore your gut flora.
Consume kefir for breakfast to restore the intestinal flora
If you want to improve the bacterial flora of the intestines, one of the most recommended foods is the kestrel, a type of fermented milk that you can easily prepare at home.
All you must do is get the specific type of mushroom and milk.
- Kefir looks like boiled rice and is fed with lactose from milk, leading to its fermentation.
- You can buy ready-made kefir, or you can get the mushroom to prepare it at home.
- The best thing to do is to consume it in the morning, on an empty stomach. You can also serve it as a snack between meals.
- Lactose intolerant people can drink kefir water.
Consume pickled cabbage to restore the gut flora
Pickled cabbage is a traditional recipe of fermented cabbage with salt that goes well with meat and fish preparations and helps in their digestion.
Because it is a fermented food, pickled cabbage is an excellent source of probiotics, substances that help restore the gut flora.
Pickled cabbage is obtained by fermenting raw cabbage with salt in a glass jar. To enhance the taste, many people add various spices, such as juniper.
It is necessary to differentiate between the various commercially available pickles of cabbage. Some of these are not fermented but are stored with alcohol, vinegar, salt, sugar, and other additives.
If pickled cabbage is not fermented, it will not have the same positive effects on the intestinal flora.
Season the dishes with seawater
Seawater is an increasingly popular supplement due to its incredible medicinal properties.
Unlike refined salt, which contains only sodium chloride, sea salt contains 118 minerals in the doses required for the body.
Nutrients of this type of salt are absorbed in the intestines. They regulate the pH of the digestive tract, but also of the rest of the body and optimize intestinal transit.
If you suffer from constipation, try to drink seawater mixed with two and a half parts of freshwater. You can also add seawater to the food to replace the salt.
If you want to keep the medicinal properties of this liquid, try to consume it in a raw state, as an ingredient in gazpacho and vegetable juices, soups, sauces, and salads.
Supplements that help restore the gut flora
If you want to restore your gut flora in just a few days after a period when you were ill or took medication, I recommend taking supplements created for this purpose.
The most important thing is to remember to take these pills at least an hour before lunch. You can also administer them before bed or in the morning, before breakfast.
There are numerous supplements that restore gut flora. Make sure you buy a product that contains as many bacterial strains as possible.
A healthy, low-stress lifestyle with an emphasis on sleep, exercise, and plant-based foods is the best way to support a healthy gut. But if you’re only going to stick with one thing: Change your diet to include more whole foods and fresh vegetables. This will have the single biggest impact.
While your microbiome may change quickly with what you eat, there are no quick fixes or overnight miracle workers for a healthy gut. Instead, it’s about sticking to the small changes that add up.
Maintaining a healthy gut contributes to better overall health and immune function.
Positive changes a person can make include taking probiotics, following a fiber-rich vegetarian diet, and avoiding the unnecessary use of antibiotics and disinfectants.
Other simple lifestyle changes a person can make include getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.
However, a person should talk to their doctor before making any drastic changes to their diet. This is because for some people, such as those with irritable bowel syndrome or other medical conditions, probiotics and fiber-rich or vegetarian diets may not be helpful.
Intestinal health – the key to a functional body
