Gut Microbes and Health Maintenance

There is much discussion about the health benefits of taking probiotics to rebuild or fortify your intestinal bacteria. In a healthy gut, these microbes outnumber human cells by ten to one and they collectively weigh in at 3 pounds. The significance of these organisms is rather broad and very critical to the health of the human body. They manufacture some vitamins, break down toxins and produce necessary metabolites. What we have discovered about their function in recent years has been nothing less than astounding. There is strong evidence in support of their mediating effects on inflammation, a key player in the initiation of cancer. New research through the University of Aberdeen Rowett Research Institute of Nutrition and Health, has found that appropriately manipulating the diet can lead to changes that favor the reduction of inflammation. According to Wendy R. Russell, PhD, Principal Investigator in the above study, "we're now getting a much clearer picture of what the diet and gut bacteria are doing and how it relates to inflammation, one of the most important endpoints of health." So what are the keys to support this anti-inflammatory diet?

The study showed that after three to four weeks on two different diets, one biological sample showed significant changes in gut microbes and their metabolites that supported an anti-inflammatory effect. One diet was similar to Atkin's with high animal protein intake and little carbohydrate. The other entailed a higher consumption of carbohydrates with protein coming from soy sources. The group getting their protein from meat sources had a marked increase in inflammatory molecules. They also sited the importance of certain types of carbohydrates. The end result, once again, was that a plant-based diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables supported the health of the intestinal bacteria that is so important for our health. Taking probiotic supplements can be an important part of healing a gut that is poorly functioning, but maintaining a rich plant-based diet is the foundation we need for the lifespan.