Microbiome 101

WHAT IS THE MICROBIOME?

The human body contains trillions of living bacteria and other bugs called microorganisms. This might sound gross and bad but it’s actually a good thing! These microorganisms can be found everywhere the body interacts with the outside world – skin, nose, ears, mouth and the gut. The body's microorganisms form an entire ecosystem which is called the microbiome. When you hear “gut health” it is referring to the health of the microorganisms in your gut.

WHY SHOULD WE LEARN ABOUT IT?

The microbiome controls many basic needs of the body, including: supplying essential nutrients, helping digest various types of carbohydrates, making vitamins, keeping out bad bacteria that cause disease and working with the immune system to fight disease while leaving the good bugs alone. Your Gut microbiome is considered the command center for wellbeing. It impacts everything: mood, brain function, skin clarity, physical health, and the ability to prevent lifestyle diseases. So if you are feeling crabby, tired, having skin breakouts or other issues, check in on your gut health.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO CREATE A HEALTHY MICROBIOME + SPECIFICALLY A HEALTHY GUT?

A balanced microbiome is a healthy microbiome. Here are some actionable things you can do to keep your Gut microbiome balanced:

#1- Eat a healthy diet which includes: drinking water, eating fewer processed foods, reducing sugar, eating dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, arugula and chard [if you don’t love the taste of dark leafy greens try putting some homemade dressings on them like this Ranch Dressing] and making sure regularly eat fiber, fermented foods and polyphenols.

#2- Exercise. Move your body every day.

#3- Get good sleep.