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There’s a city-like community living inside our gut, full of different microorganisms; different bacteria, fungi and viruses are all in conjunction with each other, keeping our body healthy.
With our increased time spent indoors underexposing ourselves to the different elements of our world, our immune systems are battling harder than before to fight off the common and frequent bugs of the changing seasons.
But what can we do to increase our chances of staying healthy, and for longer? Our microbiome has been linked to protecting us against a whole wealth of diseases like viral infection and even cancer. Research has suggested that by staying on top of our gut health, feeding our microbiome the nutrients and elements it needs to be a warrior in the immunity battlefield, we can protect ourselves for longer periods of time and increase our longevity.
At Amchara, we always take an evidence-based approach to guiding you through the health landscape, and aim to provide you with actionable knowledge and tips to help you on your journey to optimal health.
In this article, we take a closer look at the microbiome, and steps you can take to boost its health, naturally.
Spicy foods
There are a number of natural spices that can have prebiotic effects on our microbiome and can help us become healthier. In a 2019 study where a group of adults were given a placebo and spice dose in frequent intervals, the conclusions were that spices on a culinary level intake directly affect the microbiome of the gut. Additionally, this study suggested that there is evidence to show spices can also affect metabolism, which is beneficial for our health if we can find natural and simplistic ways to break down fat.
By introducing spices such as cinnamon, ginger, black or cayenne pepper and turmeric, we can help boost our microbiome in creating the elements it needs to be stronger and healthier when fighting off harmful bacteria, and improve overall good health in the long term.
Giving yourself a healthier edge
Cleansing your gut can help promote better overall health and your ability to absorb the nutrients you consume. Whilst it may sound like cleansing your gut is an intrusive venture, there are many ways to begin your journey, harnessing the power of nutrition.
Adding a regular intake of dark and leafy green vegetables can give your gut the edge it needs to promote a healthy balance for your body. These vegetables are full of fibre which can aid our metabolism and the production of beneficial, helpful bacteria.
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, bok choy and cabbage contain glucosinolates. This element is vital when we’re looking for ways to promote health in our body as it is a sulphur compound with the ability to help remove carcinogens. As well as this, they are highly detoxifying so can aid in your gut refresh, helping to eliminate the bad bacteria that lives in your body.
Connect your brain with this second in command
The gut is often referred to as the “second brain” and has a huge impact on the body and our overall health. Its proper name is the enteric nervous system, and it exists from our oesophagus to our rectum – with over 100 million nerve cells that communicate and send signals throughout our bodies.
So with that in mind, science and research has shown that when we are stressed, under pressure or in a tight spot, our gut can begin to suffer and trigger unpleasant symptoms, such as IBS, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea. These are a struggle to deal with when we are all living busy lives and there are positive ways in which you can start to eliminate them.
Stress can lead to serious gut health problems, and vice versa. Research has shown that whilst studies had previously led us to believe that only our mind was directly impacting our gut, it has been shown that poor health in that area of our body can also trigger feelings of low mood. Irritation in our gastro system can send signals to the central nervous system which can drastically alter our mental psyche, giving us a second issue to deal with.
There are various techniques we can now bring into our lives to preempt changes in our mood, and ultimately poor health in our bodies. Meditation and yoga are easily practised at home or in a calming setting, and have been proven to aid our bodies in increasing flexibility, helping to process toxins that can be harmful for our bodies and elevating our moods. By using these ancient and guided practices to maintain a healthy lifestyle, we can keep a check on both our body and mind and reduce stress levels.
Takeaway
We have a continually increasing understanding of gut health and the important role your microbiome has on the longevity of life, but there’s a specified and in depth way to find out exactly what’s going on inside our body.
At Amchara we offer you the opportunity to have a highly comprehensive test that analyses your digestive tract to objectively evaluate the status of your gut health and identify contributing factors to gastrointestinal complaints and other chronic system conditions. Our 360 health screening will look at:
- Parameters for digestion and absorption
- Inflammation
- Immunity
- Leaky gut
- Quality of gut microbiome
- Presence of yeast overgrowth
- Parasitic infections
- Susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents
Our Personalised Health practitioners can then guide you through the changes you need to undertake to promote a healthy lifestyle and put you on the road to feeling 100%.
We also have restorative retreats that will connect your mind and body in a relaxing, nurturing environment. We offer well planned, nutritious juices and tailored nutrition to support you on your journey to detoxing and refreshing your gut health.
Whilst your body is in good hands with on site expert advice from experienced Personalised Health practitioners, you can relax and unwind in the beautiful surroundings of either Gozo in Malta or Somerset in the UK. Our retreats are the full package in terms of revitalising your body and mind, with an array of activities and educational sessions to improve your health and prepare you for your return to the day to day.
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