- Always consult with your health care provider first...
There has long been a concern that the medical community’s use of antibiotics will result in super bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, or superbugs.
Superbugs are just the tip of the iceberg – the use of antibiotics changes our natural gut biome and negatively affects our health. There is evidence that an imbalance of good and bad gut bacteria can result in weight gain, skin rashes, IBS, and depression.
Impact on Gut Health
There is no doubt that the use of antibiotics in our modern world has saved many lives. Unfortunately, the overuse of antibiotics has also had a negative impact on our overall health. When antibiotics are used to fight off bacterial overgrowth, it also kills all of the healthy bacteria in the gut. This healthy bacteria has a multifaceted impact on our health. In fact, a UK twin study found that “gut microbiota predicts belly fat more accurately than diet alone.”
Another study, conducted in Finland, found that “children receiving antibiotics more frequently experienced bacterial infections relative to those who did not; this is due to the interdependence on the interrelation of microbes in the gut.” Antibiotics, ironically, are creating more infection, not less.
It is also important to understand that antibiotics don’t always kill all of the bacteria, as there are resistant strains that don’t die. These strains then experience an overgrowth in the body. This overgrowth, if not properly balanced, can lead to superbugs.
How to Balance and Build a Healthy Gut Microbiome
Of course, the use of antibiotics is sometimes necessary. When an individual takes antibiotics, however, it can take a couple of months to rebuild their gut microbiome. There are multiple ways to help rebuild this microbiome, among the most utilized is the use and consumption of prebiotics and probiotics.
Due to the fact that a lot of our microbiome dies when it comes in contact with the air, we are just beginning to understand how different bacteria impact and interact with our health.
Diet. Probiotics alone are not sufficient to rebuild and maintain your microbiome. There are a variety of strains that must be nourished. This variety can begin with a proper diet. Sugary and processed foods feed the bad bacteria in the gut. When there is an overgrowth of this bacteria, it craves more of these unhealthy foods. As a result, you struggle more to avoid these foods.
This is why cleanses can be helpful, as they help to reset your microbiome, cleanse your body of this bad bacteria, and help to create better eating habits.
Fermented Foods. Some of the best ways to nourish and grow healthy gut bacteria is through fermented foods. For many individuals, sauerkraut is the first food that comes to mind, but there are a variety of other foods that should be added to your diet, as variety in fermented foods creates a more diverse and healthy microbiome.
Some of the other foods you should add to your diet include kimchi, kefir (water or milk), kombucha, miso, tempeh, and yogurt. You may notice that these fermented foods are found in many different cultures, as humans have long been drawn to fermentation as a means for long-term food storage.
Healthy Habits. Another healthy habit that will impact your health is proper exercise. Proper exercise increases your endorphin levels, making you happier and more capable of handling stress. Too much stress has a negative impact on your gut health. To help develop the habit of exercise, find someone who will hold you accountable.
Other important habits to implement in your life include proper hydration, adequate amounts of sleep, eating more slowly so that your food is properly digested, testing yourself for food intolerances, and eating a more whole foods-based diet with limited processed and sugary food.
According to personal Trainer Nathan DeMetz, “Personal trainers can help you with everything from eating to working out to resting and recovering. It’s an ongoing support system that can help you get in the best shape of your life.”
Conclusion
As our society gets sicker and sicker, it becomes even more vital to work to counteract the negative impact our toxic society has on our health. Consider adding more whole foods to your diet to help properly balance your gut microbiome, which will result in a happier and healthier body that’s more capable of fighting off infection.