Just a few decades ago, relatively little was known about the human gut microbiome. 

It was common knowledge that the gut houses microorganisms (including bacteria, fungi and even certain viruses), and that for the most part, these little inhabitants either helped us in some way or at least didn’t hurt us.

Boy have things changed!

As studies of the microbiome have continued to explode over the last 30+ years and into the present time, we have come to know that these microorganisms play a MAJOR role in literally every aspect of human physiology and functioning!

Here’s what I mean.

The mighty microbiome

When you consider that your gut microbiome houses between 70 - 80 percent of your immune system, is predominantly responsible for your body’s nourishment and waste elimination, and interacts with every other system in your body, it’s no mystery that the result of an unhealthy microbiome won’t be pretty.

Here are just some of the ways your gut affects your health:

Digestive help

Your gut microbiome breaks down starches and fibers that you eat, thereby reducing gas and bloating and encouraging regular bowel movements.

Better digestion and BMs can lead to improved blood sugar control (listen up, you diabetics!), weight loss and protection against diverticulosis and diverticulitis.

In addition, when your wastes are being eliminated like they should be, it helps reduce inflammation and keeps your pH in a healthier alkaline range.  This means less chance of skin problems, aches and pains and inflammatory conditions.

Also, your body eliminates old, worn-out hormones and heavy metals through the GI tract.  If your BMs are not up to par, these substances may instead be reabsorbed into circulation, increasing your risk of hormone-dependent cancers (like breast cancer) and toxicity to your brain from metals like mercury or aluminum.

Complete immune protection

As I mentioned above, most of your immune system is in your gut.

In addition to fighting off infections and viruses, your immune system also protects you against diseases like cancer.  Right now, chances are excellent that you have pre-cancerous cells flowing through you, but it’s your immune system’s job to hunt down and destroy those cells!

Plus having a proper-functioning immune system means you are less likely to suffer from allergies, food and environmental sensitivities, asthma and autoimmune conditions.

Proper nutrition

Having a healthy population of intestinal bacteria helps to enhance your absorption of nutrients from your foods and supplements.

When you have nutrient deficiencies, you are rolling out the red carpet for disease and early death—it’s a given.  Most diseases have their roots in one or more nutrient deficiencies, including heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis.

Your gut also helps produce vitamins for you!  Your gut flora is directly involved in the production of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, D and K.

Ulcer prevention

Studies have shown that the beneficial bacteria strains L. acidophilus, L. salivarius and L. casei can slow and even help kill H. pylori (the bacteria that causes most ulcers).

Blood cholesterol control

Friendly bacteria can help reduce blood cholesterol by creating acids that counter excess cholesterol production.

In addition, having regular bowel movements can help your body to better eliminate old, worn-out cholesterol from the intestinal tract (instead of risking reabsorption into your bloodstream and creating elevated cholesterol levels).

Food cravings

Each species of bacteria in your gut (both good and bad) has their own “dietary preference.”

Depending on which species has the “upper hand” in your gut at any time, your microbes can influence your food choices and cravings by releasing signaling molecules into your gut. 

And the preferred food of harmful bacteria and yeasts is SUGAR!  So if you crave sweets, that’s a sign your gut microbiome isn’t as healthy as it should be (and also that you may soon be looking at a weight problem).

Inflammation signaling

Your gut is the starting point for inflammation throughout your body—it’s the “gatekeeper” for your inflammatory responses.  While some inflammatory responses are helpful (such as when you get stung by a bee or fall and skin your knee), many of us are in harmful inflammation OVERDRIVE.

The healthier your microbiome is, the more inflammation is kept under control.  Inflammation is an underlying factor behind most diseases, especially heart disease and cancer, as well as allergic responses. 

Mental health

Research has shown that problems in your gut can directly impact your mental health, eventually making you depressed and anxious.

But the opposite is also true—better, healthier bacteria can help encourage better mental health!

Plus most of your body’s serotonin is manufactured in your gut, so if it’s unable to do its job, depression can result…and all the antidepressants in the world can’t change that!

Take care of your gut, so it can take care of YOU!

Here are 3 very effective ways that you can enhance the health of your precious gut microbiome and help keep it strong and healthy for a lifetime!

1- Remove the bad stuff

Remove, reduce and avoid things that can harm your gut microbiome, including:

• Foods that you are sensitive or allergic to
• Cigarette smoke
• Soda
• Excessive alcohol (especially beer)
• Refined carbs and sugars
• Processed and fast food
• Antibiotics, acid reducers and birth control pills
• Regularly lacking sleep
• Stress
• Tap water

2- Support the helpful good guys

This involves regularly replacing and supporting your supply of beneficial bacteria, and this is accomplished with a full-spectrum probiotic supplement like Super Shield multi-strain probiotic formula.

Contrary to what you may think, your friendly intestinal inhabitants are not “permanent residents”—they only “vacation” inside of you for about 12 days.  So it’s crucial to make sure you consistently help replenish your supply of troops in your protective intestinal army.

Note that Super Shield contains all three of the H. pylori-fighting bacteria strains I mentioned earlier!

And all 13 of Super Shield’s outstanding, well-studied strains carry out their unique “specialties” in how they enhance your health, plus together they provide strong support for your gut wall and protection against dangerous pathogens.

Note that if your gut is in SERIOUS imbalance, (and if you’ve had a highly processed food/refined carb diet for a while—be honest--have a long history of drinking soda, have digestive issues, get every cold and bug around, or gas and bloating are your regular companions, trust me, you have a serious imbalance), Super Shield Plus is your ticket. 

Super Shield Plus is a 20 billion CFU, 15-strain formula that helps to turn around even the most topsy-turvy microbiomes and bring your bacterial population to a more healthful balance.   

3- Dietary reinforcement

Reinforcing a healthy gut flora balance means nourishing your friendly flora with gut-loving foods like fresh vegetables and fermented foods.

“Fermented foods” includes sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir (a fermented milk drink that tastes like drinkable yogurt), kimchi (Korean fermented cabbage), and kombucha (a tangy tea-based drink).

Note that soy-based products like tempeh and miso are also fermented foods, but I hesitate to recommend soy because most of the soy grown in the US is now genetically modified.

Treat your gut microbiome like the precious gold that it is, and it will return the favor handsomely!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia