A healthy intestine is important for the well-being of the whole body.
This is only possible by keeping our microbiota in balance .
The importance of a healthy intestine
Ayurvedic medicine spoke of the importance of the intestine as a “center of well-being” already 4000 years ago and later also Hippocrates, the father of medicine, stressed that all diseases originate in the intestine.
Nowadays, more and more studies confirm the importance of this organ, not only for digestive purposes, but also in regulating the metabolism and the immune system .
The intestine, in fact, is not just an organ, but a real ecosystem, where thousands of bacteria, fungi and viruses coexist, which form the so-called microbiota.
The intestinal tract begins to be colonized by viruses and bacteria with childbirth and with the first contacts with the outside world. The microbiota is therefore formed in the first years of life and it is important to always keep it in balance.
Health problems begin precisely when this balance is altered, due to toxins, drugs, stress and above all bad eating habits.
How to keep the intestinal microbiota in balance
The two pillars on which the intestinal microbiota balance is based are a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle .
The acidity caused by certain foods in fact promotes the establishment of an environment favorable to “bad” bacteria, to the detriment of “good” ones.
It is therefore good not to overdo the intake of proteins, which are acidifying, and reduce – or even better eliminate – the consumption of sugar, sweets, refined foods and packaged industrial products.
On the other hand, vegetables, fresh fruit and nuts, legumes and whole grains are preferred.
Rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals, they also contain a good amount of fiber, which favors intestinal transit, preventing toxins from staying in the intestine for a long time.
Proper hydration is equally important to combat constipation and promote the elimination of acid waste.
A limited but daily use of fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut or some soy derivatives including miso and tempeh, and additional nourishment for the bacterial flora .
Physical activity, light but regular, together with relaxation practices, such as meditation or yoga, are further factors that indirectly affect the health of our intestines, lowering stress levels, which is another important cause of microbiota imbalance.
Intestinal dysbiosis: what it is and what it causes.
Intestinal dysbiosis consists in the alteration of the balance of the microbiota, when “bad” bacteria proliferate at the expense of “good” ones. It is a condition that can have numerous negative health consequences.
Dysbiosis can cause typical intestinal disorders such as bloating, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, but it is also the cause of metabolic and immune problems.
An altered microbiota is in fact responsible for an incorrect absorption of nutrients, especially sugars and fats, predisposing people to diabetes, overweight and obesity.
The intestine is also closely related to the immune system, producing antibodies and hindering the absorption of harmful substances.
Its malfunction therefore hyperactivates the immune system, which is destabilized and also affects the other organs. This explains how the health of the intestine is also related to the onset of more and more autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis, lupus, ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis.
Controlling dysbiosis has also been shown to be important for brain function.
The gut – brain relationship is in fact of a bidirectional type.
It has always been thought that stress and negative emotions in general could have negative consequences on gut health, but recently the opposite has also been shown.
An altered microbiota can also have repercussions on brain nerve functions and therefore contribute to the onset of degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Lactic ferments to prevent and treat intestinal dysbiosis
Preventing or possibly treating intestinal dysbiosis is certainly an excellent choice given all the implications it has on health.
Controlling nutrition, exercising and keeping stress under control are excellent strategies, although unfortunately not always easy to put into practice.
Precisely for this reason, it is good to always keep our intestines healthy and in balance, using lactic ferments , live and active bacteria, useful for strengthening our microbiota.
We can find them in fermented foods or in larger quantities in some supplements, such as Esi’s Fermental line .
It is recommended to take it in periods of greater stress, when you have to face antibiotic therapies, in the change of seasons or even cyclically to be sure to keep the intestinal bacterial flora in balance, so important for our health.
