how to know if your microbiome is healthy?
how to know if your microbiome is healthy?
Our microbiome is a collection of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that live on and in our bodies. This community of microorganisms is known as our microbiota. The term microbiome was first introduced in 2007 to describe the ecological community of human-associated microbes. Research on the human microbiome has exploded in recent years, and we are now beginning to understand the important role that our microbiota plays in our health.
So how can you tell if your microbiome is healthy? There are a few things you can look for:
- Gut health. A healthy gut microbiota is essential for gut health. If you have digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, gas, or bloating, your gut microbiota may not be healthy. You can improve gut health by eating probiotic-rich foods and taking probiotic supplements.
- Digestive problems. Other signs that your microbiome may not be healthy include skin problems such as acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis; respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies; and cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. These conditions may be linked to imbalances in the gut microbiota.
- Weight gain or loss. Recent research shows that the gut microbiota may play a role in weight regulation. Studies have shown that obese people tend to have different gut microbiomes than lean people. It’s still unclear whether the gut microbiota causes obesity or vice versa, but researchers are working to figure it out. If you’re struggling with weight gain or loss, it’s possible that your gut microbiota is playing a role.
So how do you go about restoring balance to your microbiome if it’s not healthy? Here are a few tips:
- Eat probiotic-rich foods. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help restore balance to the gut microbiota. Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles. You can also take probiotic supplements to boost your intake of probiotics.