Are Bugs Making You Fat?
Are Bad Bugs Making You Fat?
You’ve probably heard that ‘bad bugs’ in our gut are responsible for candida, brain fog, food allergies and poor immunity. But did you know that an overgrowth of ‘bad bugs’; coupled with a depleted quantity and diversity of ‘good bugs’ could also be contributing to weight gain?
The Microbiome
The more we learn about the human microbiome, the more we appreciate the importance of the balance of flora in the gut. Microbial imbalance can refer to pathological ‘bad’ bacteria being present in the gut but also inadequate levels of beneficial ‘good’ bacteria, both of which can result in unfavourable ‘terrain’. This terrain can have a detrimental impact in the gut and on many other body systems. Recent studies have demonstrated the connection between a healthy biome and mood, immunity and even our weight.
Gut bacteria has been shown to alter the way we store fat, how we balance levels of glucose in the blood, and how we respond to hormones that make us feel hungry or full. Researchers have found that the microbiome in lean people is a lot more diverse than that in obese people. They have even discovered that particular microbes are responsible for maintaining a healthy body weight and normal metabolism.
Research suggests that the wrong mix of microbes can set the stage for obesity and diabetes, along with other health problems such as allergies, eczema and celiac disease, even from the moment of birth. Amazingly, babies born via C-section and bottle fed are more predisposed to these conditions than those delivered vaginally and breast fed. For example, as newborns traverse the birth canal, they swallow bacteria that will help them digest milk. Substances in breast milk nurture beneficial bacteria and inhibit harmful ones.
Biome Builders
The good news is that there are many steps that we can take to boost a healthy, diverse microbiome. High quality prebiotics and probiotics, diet and lifestyle changes can make a big impact. We need to be increasing foods that feed the good bacteria, such as nourishing broths and fermented foods. At the same time, we need to reduce exposure to substances that harm the microbiome, such as chlorinated water and antibiotics.
There are two easy ways to get started on this biome building business.
1. Probiotic Supplements
Probiotic supplements and probiotic foods are the foundation of strong digestion. When the bacterial balance in the gut gets thrown off due to poor diet, overuse of antibiotic drugs, toxic build-up and other factors, the digestive system is unable to properly digest and assimilate nutrients. For this reason, it is essential to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut using probiotics. Probiotic supplements are a great place to start, as they are so easy to incorporate into your daily routine, and they get really fast results. I recommend Modere Probiotic Support, containing pre and probiotics. The benefit of this is that the ‘good bacteria’ multiply and colonise more effectively than with standard probiotics.
‘My body was shaped like a rectangle. I wasn’t exactly overweight, but I was so bloated that I had no waist. After taking Probiotic Support for 3 months, I had a waist again! My tummy was flatter, and a more feminine shape was restored.’
2. Probiotic foods
Similar to probiotic supplements, probiotic or fermented foods are teeming with beneficial bacteria that help prime the gut for optimal nutrient absorption. Sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha tea, raw milk, pickled vegetables, yoghurt, and unpasteurised miso soup are among the many cultured foods and beverages that help promote the proper enzymatic breakdown of food components within the gut, which in turn promotes healthy digestion and a well-functioning digestive tract. Cultures for making these fermented products are now readily available.
Coconut Kefir is my favourite fermented food. It is full of probiotics, and for the dairy intolerant, actually helps repopulate your gut with bacteria that aid digestion of dairy foods. We have been drinking my home made Coconut Kefir for a few months now. We all notice that our tummy feels happier when we drink Coconut Kefir with our meals. It is also good taken at bedtime. The ideal plan is to take both Probiotic Support and Coconut Kefir for 3 months. Then continue with Coconut Kefir to maintain a happy biome.
The Next Step
A healthy biome needs a healthy diet. I am happy to prepare a custom diet plan for you and your family. Or you may like to kickstart your weight loss with the hCG diet. This is a really effective way to springboard into a healthy new lifestyle.
Our Gut Restoring program will help get the balance back in your life!
