Did you know that your body is colonised by a multitude of organisms that outnumber your own cells by a factor of about ten. These hundred trillion invisible creatures (called your microbiome) cover your insides and outsides, but most of them live within your digestive tract, and this is what we will explore in greater details today:

YOUR GUT MICROBIOME.

The state of your microbiome (the community of bacteria living in your gut) has a huge influence in your health.

If it's healthy and dominated by so-called beneficial bacteria (often referred to as probiotics), things will run smoothly and you will feel vibrant and healthy.

However, if it is sick and overrun by 'bad' bacteria, you can experience all sorts of unpleasant symptoms, from digestive issues like bloating, constipation and diarrhea, but also mood issues like anxiety and depression.

The gut bacteria also have an impact on your immune system, your sleep, and even your weight.

So it's now undeniable that if you want to improve your digestive health and general well-being... you need to address the balance of bacteria living in your gut!

Dramatic turnarounds in health can happen using simple dietary modifications and, on occasion, targeted pro and pre-biotics, to reestablish a healthy microbiome. More about this coming up...

ACTION STEP: How healthy are you gut bacteria? Download the questionnaire below to find out.

Now that you understand a bit more about the importance of looking after your gut bacteria, you might be interested to learn more about what they do for you. Here is a brief overview of what has been discovered in research so far.

Role of the gut microbiome

• Aids in digestion and the absorption of nutrients
• Production of vitamins (mainly B and K)
• Creates a physical barrier against potential invaders such as bad bacteria, harmful viruses and injurious parasites
• Aids detoxification
• Profoundly influences the immune system’s response (protecting you from catching colds and other viruses)
• Influence the production of vitamins and neurotransmitters
• Helps you handle stress through the flora’s effects on your endocrine and hormonal system
• Helps with mood management (happy gut = happy mood ;-)
• Assists you in getting a good night’s sleep
• Helps control the body’s inflammatory pathways (meaning less pain and chronic diseases)
• Weight management

That's an impressive list...no wonders probiotics are getting so popular! However, it's not always that simple... go to the next lesson to learn more about what you can do to restore a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut.