Since you know that we are The Kefir Chicks, you probably already know that probiotics and gut health are what we're all a'bowl't! (If you have seen our T-shirts, you would understand. lol) No really, that IS what we are all about! Gut health is extremely important. When you become aware that nearly 80% of all disease starts in the gut, it tends to really 'hit home' and make you question what all you put in your mouth!
We Are All Made Of Bacteria...
Whether you know it or not, your gut is home to trillions (yes, trillions!) of bacteria! A healthy gut will be comprised of mostly good bacteria with only a small portion dealing with bad bacteria. When your gut is unbalanced with an overgrowth of bad bacteria it is known as Dysbiosis. This is when the bad bacteria in your system decides it wants to 'take over the place' because it has the right environment to thrive in. (Kind of like a big, burly mob of black-suited gangsters that decide to wreak havoc on the microscopic town of Microbiota. lol)
How can your gut become unbalanced in the first place? It happens through a poor diet, excessive sugar consumption, overuse of antibiotics, a weakened immune system due to stress, or even the many chemical toxins that are around or used our bodies on a daily basis. With so many different things our bodies having to put up with, it's no wonder that it sometimes gets overrun!
Dysbiosis can show up in many different forms, but a lot of times it will result in gastrointestinal distress such as bloating, belching, indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, and more. Yikes! That's not something we want to deal with!
How can your gut become unbalanced in the first place? It happens through a poor diet, excessive sugar consumption, overuse of antibiotics, a weakened immune system due to stress, or even the many chemical toxins that are around or used our bodies on a daily basis. With so many different things our bodies having to put up with, it's no wonder that it sometimes gets overrun!
Dysbiosis can show up in many different forms, but a lot of times it will result in gastrointestinal distress such as bloating, belching, indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, and more. Yikes! That's not something we want to deal with!
3 Ways to Fight Bad Bacteria Overgrowth
So then what are the best ways to prevent or combat an overgrowth of bad bacteria? Here are 3 ways that you can implement to help protect your gut and fight off the harmful bacteria:
1. Daily Probiotics - These guys are your best defense when it comes to defending your gut. When probiotics enter your system they go right to work fighting off bad bacteria, repairing your digestive tract, breaking down food to absorb nutrients and more. Probiotics on a daily basis recolonizes your gut with a variety of bacteria that can help ward off disease and illness. Conuming raw, fermented foods is one of the BEST ways to get live probiotics in your diet. Your body can use these right away because they are in their most bioavailable form.
2. Eat A Diet Rich of PREbiotic Foods - 'Prebiotics' are essentially the foods that probiotics feed on. This will help keep the good guys strong and healthy! Foods like, bananas, raw and cooked onions, raw garlic, raw artichoke, and dandilion greens are all prebiotic foods.
3. Treat Your Body Right - Contrary to popular belief...stay away from things like antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizers, chemical-based skin care products, and toxin-containing cosmetics. Keep stress to a minimum and make sure you get enough sleep each night! All of these things play a part in your overall health and the health of your microbiome, so try to keep this in mind.
Our bodies are amazing. Taking steps toward better health is always a good thing, just try not to get too overwhelmed. (Baby steps if you need to!) Treat your body right, and you will be astonished at how it will respond!
1. Daily Probiotics - These guys are your best defense when it comes to defending your gut. When probiotics enter your system they go right to work fighting off bad bacteria, repairing your digestive tract, breaking down food to absorb nutrients and more. Probiotics on a daily basis recolonizes your gut with a variety of bacteria that can help ward off disease and illness. Conuming raw, fermented foods is one of the BEST ways to get live probiotics in your diet. Your body can use these right away because they are in their most bioavailable form.
2. Eat A Diet Rich of PREbiotic Foods - 'Prebiotics' are essentially the foods that probiotics feed on. This will help keep the good guys strong and healthy! Foods like, bananas, raw and cooked onions, raw garlic, raw artichoke, and dandilion greens are all prebiotic foods.
3. Treat Your Body Right - Contrary to popular belief...stay away from things like antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizers, chemical-based skin care products, and toxin-containing cosmetics. Keep stress to a minimum and make sure you get enough sleep each night! All of these things play a part in your overall health and the health of your microbiome, so try to keep this in mind.
Our bodies are amazing. Taking steps toward better health is always a good thing, just try not to get too overwhelmed. (Baby steps if you need to!) Treat your body right, and you will be astonished at how it will respond!