As a holistic practitioner I value the importance of quality gut flora. The good bacteria, as
we know, help us to improve our immune system, provide vitamins and prevent other
harmful bacteria from infecting us. These bacteria in our guts and digestive systems also
regulate how well we derive energy from our food.
Interestingly two strains of bacteria have been found to influence fat absorption almost
regardless of diet: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Lean people have more Bacteroidetes and
fewer Firmicutes and vice versa for obese people. When obese people lose fat the ratio of
bacteria in their gut increases to have more Bacteroidetes.
This finding is so influential that it has significant implications for health, that the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a multi-year Human Microbiome Project in late 2007.
Tips:
1. Ditch the Splenda. A study done at Duke University found that giving Splenda to rats
significantly decreased the amount of helpful bacteria in the gut.
2. Try Fermented Foods. Kefir, unsweetened plain yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut and
kombucha tea are the best fermented foods known to increase the amount of good bacteria.
3. Take a Prebiotic and Probiotic supplement. Prebiotics are fermentable substrates
that help bacteria grow and thrive. Inulin and FOS are effective. They have also been shown
to improve calcium absorption. Probiotics are good bacteria. There are many kinds of
supplements on the market. Physica Energetics Flora Syntropy formula includes the human
sporenge strain which most other supplements do not contain. Take probiotics daily.
Taken from The 4 Hour Body by Timothy Ferris
Good Bacteria Quiz
If you answer YES to the following questions call me as soon as possible at 519-270-1889
to investigate the possible causes of your health disruptions and create a personalized plan in
order to heal your body and overcome them.
1. Do you experience bloating (regularly or occasionally)?
2. Does your stomach feel as flat in evening as it did when you woke up?
3. Do you have a daily bowel movement (EVERY DAY!)?
4. Do you pass gas?
5. Do you experience heartburn or indigestion?
6. Do you get colds more than once per year?
7. Do you have eczema, dry skin, acne, dandruff, psoriasis, yeast infections or IBS?
8. Are you congested on a regular basis?
9. Do you have unexplained muscle aches?
10. Do you crave sweets, dairy or alcohol?
So if you’ve answered YES to some or most of these questions I highly recommend you
schedule a health assessment right now while you are thinking about it so that we can get to
bottom of why you are feeling this way and to assess how your imbalance of good to bad
bacteria is affecting your weight and health.
Initial health intake assessments are 90 minutes, and include an Essential Health Survey and
Electrodermal Screening.
If you know of someone else who would benefit from this assessment feel free to forward.