If you haven't yet heard much about your gut bacteria, part of your overall gut flora, chances are you are going to be hearing a lot more about this topic in the future. These previously much-overlooked bacteria are now being associated with a wide range of human health solutions and problems. As you follow along with this unfolding science you will want to be sure that you are doing all that you can be doing to ensure that your gut bacteria are as healthy as they can be. Take a look at what is known about your gut bacteria, what sends it out of balance, and what helps it to thrive.

What Are the Gut Flora?

The gut flora makes up a world of microorganisms that populate our gastrointestinal tract. It is estimated there are about 100 trillion of these microorganisms, called microbes. They are predominately made up of various strains of bacteria, but there are also some fungi and protozoa as well. Our relationship with the gut flora is considered to be one of mutual benefit. The gut flora may also be referred to as the microbiome, microbiota or microflora.

Research has found that we are not born with gut flora, but newborn babies have their digestive systems populated with flora from their mother during the process of vaginal birth.﻿﻿ (There is some preliminary research that babies born through cesarean section show differences in the makeup of their gut flora). Differences have been found between the flora of breast-fed and formula-fed infants.﻿﻿ Once infants are weaned, which occurs around the age of two, their flora more closely resembles that of adult flora.

The gut flora is thought to:﻿﻿

Promote digestion

Keep harmful bacteria at bay

Stimulate the immune system

Synthesize certain vitamins

Support gut motility

Help to absorb nutrients

What Hurts Gut Bacteria

In a state of optimal health, there is a happy balance in which beneficial strains of bacteria keep strains that have the potential to be troublesome in check. Intestinal dysbiosis is a term used by researchers to describe a hypothetical state in which there exists an overgrowth of the more troublesome strains. Change may be seen in the makeup of the flora themselves, how they are distributed, and how they are functioning.

The following factors are all hypothesized to have a negative impact on the health of intestinal gut bacteria:﻿﻿

Antibiotic use

Modern diet

Peristalsis dysfunction

Physical stress

Psychological stress

Radiation

When Gut Bacteria Goes Bad

Researchers have been seeing an association between intestinal dysbiosis and a variety of chronic illnesses.﻿﻿ These include:

It's not surprising to see two bowel disorders included on the list. What may come as a surprise are the links to other chronic, system-wide health problems. The current thinking is that the dysbiosis is contributing to an abnormal immune system response which is playing a part in the chronic symptoms of these disorders. Cutting-edge research is looking at the role that the health of the gut flora plays in intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome) and how that relates to autoimmune disease.

Lifestyle Changes for Healthy Gut Bacteria

Based on what is known by research to date about what makes for healthy and unhealthy gut bacteria, the following changes may help you to optimize the health of your inner world:﻿﻿

Keep antibiotic use to a minimum. Of course, you must alert your doctor if you have signs of serious illness, but follow their advice and don't insist on a prescription for antibiotics for viral illnesses. Learn strong stress management skills. Modern life is filled with a multitude of stressors. You can learn skills for coping with these challenges in a way that results in less wear and tear on your body. If necessary, take probiotics. Probiotic supplements contain strains of bacteria that have been identified as being beneficial for humans. Although the research on the benefits of probiotics has been mixed, and to date, there is no hard research that they can change the makeup of your gut flora, they are generally well-tolerated and have been shown to improve symptoms in people who suffer from IBS. ﻿ ﻿ As with all over the counter supplements, be sure to get clearance from your doctor before use.

Gut Bacteria and Diet

Although the research in this area is quite preliminary, the following dietary changes may be of help in keeping your friendly gut bacteria happy and certainly will do you no harm:﻿﻿

Decrease Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates: These food components interact with gut bacteria through a process of fermentation and can contribute to excessive symptoms of gas and bloating.

Get to Know Prebiotics: As you hear more and more about gut bacteria, you will also be hearing more and more about prebiotics. Prebiotics are ingredients in foods that encourage the growth of beneficial flora. Prebiotics are primarily found in vegetables and fruits that are high in soluble and insoluble fiber. Two other buzzwords are "fructooligosaccharides" and "inulins;" foods with these prebiotic components seem to be especially gut flora-friendly. Here are some examples:

Artichokes

Asparagus

Bananas

Blueberries

Chicory

Garlic

Leeks

Onions

Rye

Eat More Fermented Foods: Fermented foods are foods that already contain within them live cultures of beneficial strains of bacteria. This may sound really exotic, but as you look at the list, you are probably very familiar with two of the examples:

Kefir

Kimchi

Kombucha

Sauerkraut (not canned—the raw, unpasteurized kind from the refrigerator section of the grocery store)

Yogurt

Consider Bone Broth: Although the research is scant, many alternative health practitioners endorse bone broth as being very healing for the gut.