The Probiotic Myth

A healthy gut is the wellness holy grail, but new research suggests membership of the culture club may come at an unexpected cost.

- Janna Johnson O'toole

TRILLION. It’s a value so large, it’s seemingly impossible to comprehend. One million million? Ten to the twelfth power? Even put other ways, it’s still mind-boggling. But it’s the number (12 zeros, for the record) of microbes in your gut at this very moment, working away in a delicate balance to keep nearly every other bodily function humming along harmoniously.

“The gut is home to an ecosystem composed of trillions of microbes including yeasts, fungi, bacteria and viruses that, along with their genes, collectively referred to as the microbiome, influence so many body processes, from the digestion of food to our mood and mental health. It is also responsible for weight management, bowel regularity, skin health and so much more,” explains Chiza Westcarr, nutritionist and wellness coach at Sydney’s All Saints Skin Clinic. “Gut health is finally becoming recognised as so vital to overall health and well being. Eighty per cent of the immune system resides in the gut and what we eat plays a huge role in our immune function. Autoimmune-related disorders have been positively linked to gut health.”