Why probiotics?

The advantageous bacteria that provide some form of benefit to us are called PROBIOTICS. 

• They produce vitamins and anti-inflammatories 
• They help keep our gut protected from harmful infections 
• Some can help with our mood 
• 70% of our immune system is in our gut
• Our modern lifestyles have affected the number of probiotics that live in us and replaced them with harmful colonies 
• Poor gut health can cause a host of diseases from obesity to inflammation to dementia 

I have touched upon the probiotic topic quite a bit throughout the website and blogs. I’m hoping you already realise that probiotics are good for you. 

These probiotics largely live inside our digestive tract, consuming parts of the foods we eat and converting them into a wonderful array of beneficial compounds, like vitamins and anti-inflammatories that our own body cannot produce.

 In fact, some strains are so beneficial, they actually act as their own antibiotic, producing chemicals that kill harmful bacteria. Some produce chemicals that enhance the mucosal layer and therefore the protection of the intestinal wall. Some even produce chemicals that resemble oxytocin to help keep us relaxed and calm. 

We work symbiotically with these tiny cells and they have helped us survive for millennia. The microbiome, which is the collection of all the microscopic organisms that live inside us, is so important to all aspects of our life. 

Modern times are devastating to this wonderful community of organisms. Some of the major disrupters include modern diets, excessive use of antibiotics, pesticides and a focus on sterility and cleanliness around the home. The term “bacteria” is usually associated with disease and certainly faced with negativity. 

With the introduction of refrigeration, we have forgotten the ancient methods of preserving foods, and readily throw out anything that may display some form of bacterial or fungal growth. 

But despite our fear of disease-causing bacteria, we have unfortunately constructed the perfect environment for these to take hold inside us. 

We have disrupted the purely natural balance of our body’s own unique defence system against these harmful invaders; the resident probiotics that work alongside our immune system to protect us and keep these microbes in check. In fact, our gut microbiome is roughly 70% of our total immune system. 

As a result, we are confronted with an array of diseases that are most likely a direct result of an imbalance within your gut; obesity, inflammation, arthritic conditions, GI related disturbances, food intolerances, allergies, mental health disorders, dementia, … the list goes on. 

We cannot undo what we have already done, however, we can look to make positive changes that support our microbiome and help to repopulate some of the key probiotics that have been lost. 

This is where cultured foods come in. By re-learning the art of fermentation, we can begin to regain control of our gut health. 

And before you turn our nose up at the thought of fermented foods; please remember that that yogurt, glass of wine or beer, or that delicious cheese you ate; have all been fermented. Even chocolate begins with the fermentation of the cacao bean!

Are you ready?