By Dr. Michelle Irwin

Bacteria aren't all bad, there are good bacteria that help to fight off the bad bacteria. Our bodies are filled with 100 trillion live bacterial microbes that help play an essential role in our digestive processes, skin health, and much more. Researchers in recent years have even found that the types and amounts of bacteria in your gut are closely linked to your likelihood of developing diabetes, obesity, depression, and even cancer. We now understand that digestive health is about more than just about our weight, it is a critical factor in our overall health and wellness. How can that be?

Hundreds of different types of bacteria line our entire digestive system. They are continually interacting with our nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. Because of this, these bacteria impact our lives in ways we wouldn't think of, like our mood, the strength of our immune system, and are responsible for how efficiently our bodies process the foods we eat. Just like a fingerprint, our gut microbiome (what we call the bacteria and their world) is unique to every individual. Too much or too little bacteria can cause a variety of health issues, but a healthy diet and active lifestyle along with proper Chiropractic care of our nervous system can dramatically improve our overall gut health.

Improving the gut starts first with understanding what probiotics are and how we can help keep them healthy. PRObiotics are healthy bacteria! They are living single cell organisms that help us. We can build them up in our gut by eating foods that have been fermented to a point, foods like:

• Live culture yogurt
• Kefir
• Miso
• Aged cheeses (60+ days)
• Kimchi
• Sauerkraut
• Pickles
• Kombucha

But like other living things, probiotics need a food source, PREbiotics. Prebiotic foods help mend the gut by feeding the bacteria properly so they can ferment them into short-chain fatty acids that help nourish the gut barrier, help prevent inflammation, and mend insulin sensitivity. They also help regulate your appetite and keep your skin glowing. Here are some sources of prebiotics:

• Chocolate (higher cocoa content the better)
• Underripe banana
• Blueberries
• Apples
• Dandelion greens
• Spinach
• Onion
• Garlic
• Leeks
• Chia and Flax seeds

These two lists can be used to make everything from breakfast to dinner and are some of the best ways to break a fast if you do intermittent fasting or have been doing a longer fast for your health. When we undergo times of sickness or increased stress, we need help beyond what we eat. Our office has found a great Daily Probiotic that is easy to travel with and doesn't need to be refrigerated to be potent. It is great after taking antibiotics or any time you find that your gut health is not what it should be. Ask our team if it would be right for you.