The importance of Gut Microbiome to the gastrointestinal tract is well demonstrated in their populate ambiance in the allium and colon. The microbiome exists in the body at nearly 10 times the overall cells volume in the body. It is thus imperative for the overall human health. It is paramount to understand that the body has its bacteria that provide and aid human health. Almost 80% of the body’s processes depend on the microbiome. The microbes aid body system processes such as food digestion, maintenance of healthy weight, and clarity in thinking, etc. (Wong, 2012). Infants exhibit intestinal colonization of Prevotella and Lactobacillus at delivery but further acquire the microbiome through the interaction of immune system and microbiota (Edwards, 2015). The variation in the microflora is determined by the dietary behavior which can maintain its balance or imbalance.
There are many ways to keep the gut health at its best. It can be done through proper manipulation of the microbiome. Certain approaches can be undertaken to improve the gut microbiome in the short and long terms. The main objective is to ensure that the body is exposed to the right bacteria. When there are gut health concerns, it is right to take measures that help manipulate the situation in the short term before looking into the future. One of such approach is;
Short-term approach
Removal of processed foods and sugar from the diet- It is important to note that gut microbiome reacts to the foods one takes. Sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods are absorbed faster into the small intestine thus bypassing the microbes (Cook et al. 2015). Continual consumption of such diets leads to starvation of the gut microbes. Consequently, it leads to leaky gut, a condition that makes it easy for food particles to enter directly the bloodstream. When such happens, the body can suffer autoimmunity which is dangerous for human health. Removing the foods from the diet will help control the balance of gut microbiome thus improving health. Moreover, people should take a diet with fermented food like pickles, unprocessed yogurt, and kefir that can help feed the gut with proper and healthy bacteria due to their richness in probiotics (Cook et al. 2015). It will thus help seed good bacterial balance in the gut which is healthy for the body and general human health. Additionally, it is advisable to generate carbohydrates from low-sugar fruits and vegetables. These foods will build diverse and healthy bacteria in the gut. Such fruits include carrots, turmeric, and garlic (Hemarajata & Versalovic, 2012). When the above are combined with healthy protein and fats for various meals, the state of gut microbiome balance is enhanced.
Long-term Approach
Avoiding depression can also be observed for long-term manipulation of microbiome. Anxiety has been proved to be another cause of microbiome imbalance in the gut (Padol & Hunt, 2010). Therefore, living a stress free life will help improve the gut health and ensure that there is proper microbiome balance. It will help improve the health of gut microbiome as well. Also, one should avoid taking antacids. The human stomach requires digestive enzymes to aid the digestion process. However, taking of antacids can destroy the digestive tract thus impeding proper digestion (Baxter, 2014). Taking amino acids will help improve the digestion system thus helping build the gut. Taking proper probiotics can help maintain quality microbes, the ecosystem of the guts, respiratory, and urogenital tracts. The long term effect of taking high-quality probiotics is to enhance balance in microbes. Limiting the use of antibiotics is thus an ideal way to improve the gut microbiome (Shetty & Marathe, 2013).
References
Baxter, N. T. (2014). Structure of the gut microbiome following colonization with human feces determines colonic tumor burden. Microbiome, 2(1), 20.
Cook, M., Allen, J., Pence, B., Wallig, M., Gaskins, H., White, B., & Woods, J. (2015). Exercise and gut immune function: evidence of alterations in colon immune cell homeostasis and microbiome characteristics with exercise training. Immunology And Cell Biology.
Edwards, S. (2015). Use of antibiotics in young children may disrupt gut microbiome. The Pharmaceutical Journal.
Hemarajata, P., & Versalovic, J. (2012). Effects of probiotics on gut microbiota: mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation. Therapeutic Advances In Gastroenterology, 6(1), 39-51.
Padol, I., & Hunt, R. (2010). OC-044 Antisecretory effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus -conditioned medium prompts the notion of lactobacilli species as probiotics of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Gut, 59(Suppl 1), A18.2-A18
Shetty, S., & Marathe, N. (2013). Opportunities and challenges for gut microbiome studies in the Indian population. Microbiome, 1(1), 24.
Wong,. (2012). Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Heart Disease. Journal of AOAC International, 95(1).
