The body is made up of trillions of microorganisms. The bacteria in human bodies outnumber the human cells by 10 to 1. There are 30 to 400 trillion microorganisms living the gut making this area of the body the most bacteria rich. This area is known as the gut microbiome.
The bacteria are crucial for maintaining our gut health. The bacteria in your gut help create balance in your body by reducing inflammation, protecting against foreign pathogens, and supporting the immune system overall. Research shows that the gut is also directly linked to the brain through the gut-brain axis affecting serotonin production and other mechanisms that affect mental health.
What Causes Bad Gut Health?
Poor nutrition, stress, lack of exercise, and genetics all play a role in a compromised gut microbiome. Very interestingly, the way we were birthed plays a giant role in our gut health.
People born vaginally tend to have healthier guts whereas people born through caeserean sections are more likely to suffer from poor gut health. Poor gut health can lead to problems with the digestive system, nervous systems, allergies, inflammation, and inflammatory bowel diseases like crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.
Medically reviewed studies also indicate that fetuses who are exposed to high levels of stress are more at risk of poor gut health in adulthood. The first 2 years of life are crucial for building a healthy microbiome and this imperative stage determines a grand majority of adult gut function. Breastfeeding, good nutrition, and low stress levels all help with creating a healthy microbiome in children.
Gut Health: CBD
There are several ways to help support the gut microbiome one being CBD oil. The cannabis plant houses CBD as well as other cannabinoids like THC, CBN, CBG, and more. However, the benefits of CBD have shown a lot of promise in the area of preventing and managing inflammation and immune system function.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) found in the body is responsible for interacting with crucial systems of the body like the immune system which handles inflammation. It also helps produce endocannabinoids and knows how to deal with the CBD we take.
The immune system is closely connected with the ECS, so a healthy ECS may help contribute to a healthier immune system. Lower inflammation levels are linked with healthier guts and vice versa. Research shows that CBD may be very effective at managing inflammation, so if finding another way to boost your gut health is something you’re looking for, try some CBD!
While there are many CBD products out there, we highly recommend CBD oil tinctures.
Nutrition
Eating high fiber, anti-inflammatory, and fermented foods are key to supporting the health of your gut. Think of implementing a whole foods plant based diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and grains. Fiber helps create more healthy bacteria in the gut to help combat a leaky gut, hypersensitive inflammatory immune responses, and GI tract issues.
Fermented foods
- kimchi
- sauerkraut
- plant based yogurt kefir
- tempeh
- miso
- kombucha
High fiber foods
- beans
- avocados
- berries
- broccoli
- potatoes
- nuts
Anti-inflammatory foods
- turmeric
- leafy greens
- dark chocolate
- green tea & matcha
- EVOO
Lastly, taking prebiotics or probiotics can really help with creating a flourishing microbiome!