We all know there are different systems in our body- circulatory, cardiovascular, neurological- but did you know there is one that science is quickly catching on to as a literal Jack of All Trades? It’s our digestive system. More specifically, it’s our gut, which can also be referred to as our microbiome. The microbiome is home to trillions of micro organisms that work to keep us and our digestive system in working order. They’re mostly bacteria- an estimated 100 trillion- with some amounts of yeasts and other beneficial organisms.

Some of the bacteria are “good” and others, well, not so much depending on how many of them there are inside the gut. Let’s call them “opportunists”. Think of the ratio between good and opportunistic bacteria as a goldilocks formula: you don’t want too much of the opportunists, because they too have their role to play, provided they’re under control. So having mostly good and some opportunistic bacteria (in addition to yeast) is otherwise normal.
Next, let’s cover what make our good bacteria so good. What is it that they do? Quite a lot actually! Our bacteria perform a number of functions, including:

• Creating Vitamins (Biotin, Folate, B12, and Vitamin K), and Hormones and Neurotransmitters (GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, noradrenalin, serotonin and dopamine)

• Secreting Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA), which are powerful anti-inflammatory molecules

• Breaking down, or digesting, food (specifically, fiber)

• Supporting immunity and fighting off foreign invaders (like pathogens)

• Neutralizing toxins from things like processed foods, pollution, and our
environment by as much as 40%

• Influencing appetite, metabolism and weight

• Regulating hormones, mood, and behavior

• Promoting healthy hair, skin, and longevity

Our bacteria are nothing short from amazing. These miracle-workers go by many names, which are oftentimes used interchangeably- probiotics, friendly flora, beneficial bacteria, and microbiome residents- but have come to be known as the “forgotten friends” of the body, with the microbiome or gut itself being referred to as the “forgotten organ”.
If we’re not too careful though, they can indeed be gone for the worse. In today’s world, it’s becoming all the more apparent that they should not be taken for granted.

Our bacteria are negatively affected by frequent antibiotic use (the word antibiotic means anti-life, with probiotic meaning for life) that act like a mini bomb in our gut wiping everything out, making it open season for those opportunistic organisms to take over. After that, we’ve got the mass consumption of processed foods that temporarily fill our stomachs while starving our good bacteria of the fuel they need to survive: fiber. We’re always talking about nutrient deficiencies, but underestimate the value of fiber when it comes to feeding our bacteria. And with a typical modern diet, we’re ironically feeding the opportunists within our gut. That’s thanks to sugar, which can be found in everything from breads to sauces to even health food supplements like protein powder and Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs). Sugar-craving yeasts and opportunistic bacteria love the stuff, and can influence us to want to crave more of it in order for them to rise up in population!

Even stress can mess things up for our bacteria, since it impairs digestion, over-activates our immune system, and increases inflammation. If our stress reaches an all time high and never makes it down to the ground, we’re in for some serious trouble. Combine all of these things together and you’ve got a recipe for disaster: starved, dwindling populations of good bacteria, and overgrowths of opportunists that can run amok and give us plenty of hell.
It’s like a science-fiction movie but in our gut: an epic battle for survival against invaders. And also like a movie, the good guys can step in to save the day. That’s thanks to us, and our good bacteria. The choices we make each day have an effect upon the hard- working heroes within our gut that pay us back in the form of vitality, longevity, and optimal health. The goal of this series is to show you how to do just that.