5 ways you destroy your gut biome and 5 ways to build your healthy balance
From your passage through the birth canal to your first taste of breastmilk, a first encounter with your pet dog or cat and first handful of not-so-tasty dirt in the backyard, you are building your gut biome, that super-dense world of trillions of microbes that live in your gastrointestinal system (as well as in your mouth and on your skin). And you want them in (and on) there! They’re essential for everything from a healthy immune system and controlling your weight, moods and glucose levels to helping prevent acne.
When they’re out of whack because of an unhealthy diet, chronic stress, overuse of antibiotics, chronic inflammation or lack of physical activity, you’re at risk for some cancers, heart disease, depression, obesity and autoimmune conditions such as Crohn’s or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The latest studies have begun to decipher the genetic components of those microbes and understand
(1) how they’re unique in individuals; and