The Bugs in your Belly

Did you know that you have over one hundred million bugs in your belly? Not the typical 6 or 8 leg creepy crawlies like spiders or ants but instead, bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. These bugs play a critical role in helping your body function properly. They help support the immune system, aid in the creation of enzymes that break down food as well as breaking down toxic food compounds. There are is just to name few of their functions! There are over 1000 species of these bugs. Some are helpful (good) and others if overgrown, can be potentially harmful (bad). Typically, the good and bad live in harmony however if an imbalance occurs, disease can occur in the body. Symptoms of disharmony include brain fog, fatigue, mood disorders, GI distress or autoimmune disorders.

Oneway to bring bug balance back and harmonize the good and the bad bugs is through administering probiotics. Found in fermented foods and supplements, probiotics are good bugs that help repopulate the belly with good bugs, thus restoring the support that good bacteria provide for the human body. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha and pickles are a wonderful addition to your diet, all packed with probiotics.

If you choose to add probiotics to your diet via supplements, remember that all products are not equal.

Keep these few things in mind when choosing your probiotic:

1. Research the company and brand, ensuring you are purchasing a high quality product with solid research behind it.

2. Probiotics are live and can only continue to thrive if refrigerated or vacuum sealed. Typically, probiotics found on shelves are inert.

3. Diversity in key. Probiotics with at least 5-7 species and dosed in "billions" are likely more effective. Some beneficial strains include bifidobacterium and lactobacillus.

4. Look for strains of bacteria that have been included in clinical trials

5. Look for dairy free options (we'll get into dairy and how is affects the body later)

Additionally, rotating probiotic strains every 6 months helps to promote diversity thus promoting a healthy you!