Gut REACTION

Want to live a healthier, happier life? Experts think the bacteria in your belly could be the secret to living well

If gut health was a religion, it’s fair to say there are an increasing number of devout believers. Long gone are the days when our digestive system was simply seen as a conveyor belt for food. Today, we understand the gut plays a pivotal role in our overall well-being. If you’re dealing with digestive issues, a weakened immune system, lethargy, inflammation, skin conditions or more, it could be worth taking a look at your gut health – and we’re not talking about implementing a holier than-thou diet or giant gelatinous kombucha.

“Even a small change in our microbiome [the body’s ecosystem] can have a snowball effect,” explains Professor Phil Hansbro, author of The Good Gut Anti-Inflammatory Diet. “Inflammation and damage to the gut creates an opportunity for more ‘bad’ bacteria to grow. These bad bacteria species take more and more space, resulting in a loss of immune tolerance and chronic inflammation.”

Although processed and sugary foods are linked to feeding inflammatory-producing bacteria in your gut, the damage they do is very individual because it depends on what other microbes you have that could tip the balance in your favour.

“There are about 40006000 bacteria species in our gut,” says Phil. “Incredibly, each species has its own specific nutritional needs and produces its own metabolites. Some are pro-inflammatory– they produce toxins and metabolites that cause inflammation in our body.”

Pick a health problem and you can bet that those pro-inflammatory gut microbes play a part.