Your inner 'eco-system'

Many of you might have heard of the microbiome by now as it’s become something of a buzz word in the health-conscious community. It’s no wonder though as the research on the microbiome has exploded in the last decade.

So, what is the microbiome? It’s our inner ecosystem that comprises of many different types of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, proclaimed that ‘’all disease starts in the gut” and we’re finally realizing that if we want to have vibrant health, we do need to tend to our gut first and foremost.

So why is it that the health of our gut has such far-reaching implications on our overall health? Well, because the microbiome is involved in many processes such as immunomodulation, detoxification, food fermentation, Vitamin K production, protection against pathogenic organism and short chain fatty acids production to name a few.

While there has been a lot of talk about probiotics (i.e. fermented foods) in recent years, prebiotics (non-digestible fibre) have been somewhat pushed aside. While probiotics have mainly a transient effect on the gut flora, prebiotics are emerging as a powerful tool for more sustainable modulation of the gut microbiome. Prebiotics are often referred to as fertilizers for our beneficial bacteria! Where do we find them? In plants!

Below are some of the foods you want to include in your daily diet to keep your microbiome ‘happy’: okra, Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, garlic, onions, leeks, chicory, apple, cooked and cooled rice & potatoes, green bananas, plantains.

Remember, the diversity of our gut flora is vitally important for our systemic health, so don't shy away from plants! Eat them liberally, several times a day and aim to have at least 25 different types of plant foods a week!

Here is to a healthy and 'happy' gut!

In health,

Jana of Vibrant You Ltd.