There is increasing recognition that our total intestinal flora, also known as the microbiome, is very important to our health. The general opinion is that the more types of beneficial bacteria we have and the more of them, the better it is.
The right gut bacteria
Specific strains of beneficial bacteria in our stomach are responsible for digesting specific foods. As a result, they are also responsible for our blood sugar levels, our mental well-being and other matters related to our health.
A recent test showed that the quantity and diversity of these beneficial bacteria increase based on eating particular diets. The subjects who participated in the test all saw their health improve. That’s a wonderful result of course, but it has to be mentioned that each person was given their own specific diet to follow based on the result of a very thorough stool test.
Probiotics and prebiotics
In natural medicine it has been known for decades that the microbiome can be increased without expensive laboratory research.There are a series of supplements which have been specifically developed to increase both the amount and diversity of intestinal bacteria.
A probiotic supplement containing many different strains of bacteria will improve the digestive process once they arrive in the gut. However, these bacteria can only really do their job if they are nourished properly while in the gut. For that, a prebiotic supplement is required.
Clean intestines are the basis
It is not unimportant that beneficial bacteria have the greatest effect if they find themselves in a clean environment. They cannot withstand a polluted intestine because they receive too little oxygen to survive. Pathogenic bacteria, on the other hand, thrive in a polluted environment.
Many people with poorly functioning intestinal flora therefore carry a lot of pathogenic bacteria. For that reason, it’s best first to clean the intestine with a dedicated colon cleanse before taking the pre- and probiotics. The gut bacteria will then survive well and bring the most health benefits.
Digestive Enzymes
Another point of interest is that, as mentioned at the beginning, the ability we have to digest certain foods is dependent on which intestinal bacteria we each have. Some people avoid certain foods for that reason. Luckily, for the vast majority of people, this is not necessary because there are supplements which take care of that problem.
These supplements contain digestive enzymes. These exist for the better functioning of the stomach and especially for the better functioning of the digestion within the intestines.