Gut health
Go with your gut instinct
and top up with probiotics
Bacteria are often thought of as sources of disease, but not all of them are bad. In fact, your gut, which is full of trillions of microbes, is dependent on the friendly ones to function well. This is something long recognised by the Fiti Co-op social enterprise that has been helping Tanzanians top up their good bacteria through the sales of homemade probiotic-enhanced yoghurt since 2004. Here’s our guide to good gut health.
Look after your gut and it will look after you.
to our health. The microorganisms work
cells embedded in its walls and
together to break down our food and help
which communicates with the brain and
Most of the time, when it comes to nutri-
us fight infection. Having the right gut
can trigger huge emotional shifts. If bad
tion we like to think in terms of macros
bacteria has been linked to weight loss,
bacteria are running rampant in the stomach
and micros (that is macronutrients such
improved digestion, enhanced immune
and causing indigestion or nausea in the gut,
as carbohydrates, fats and proteins and
function, healthier skin and the reduced
it can send signals to the brain that affect
micronutrients such as individual vitamins
risk of some diseases. However, having a
the way you think. Psychological symptoms
and minerals), but it turns out we should also
predominance of unhealthy microbes in
generated by disturbances in the gut can
be taking microbes into account.
the gut may contribute to weight gain,
include depression, anxiety and brain fog.
Our bodies contain trillions of microbes. In fact, bacteria cells inside us outnumber human cells by about 10 to 1. The most
high blood sugar, high cholesterol and other disorders.
Are you eating the right foods to help your good gut bacteria?
dense microbe population is in your
The second brain
gastrointestinal tract (or gut) where they play
Our gut microbiome – the name for complex
diversity and stability of your gut bacteria. It
a critical role in digestion, immune function
community of microorganisms inside us –
is important to have a varied diet as a healthy
and weight regulation.
does not only have a bearing on our physical
gut has a varied community of microbes,
health. If you’ve ever “gone with your gut
each of which prefers different foods.
The majority of these gut bacteria are
The food you eat has a large bearing on the
quite harmless, some are helpful and
instinct” to make a decision or felt “butterflies
a small number can cause disease. We
in your stomach” when nervous, you’re likely
based foods with a variety of whole
each have enough bacteria inside us to
getting signals from your second brain. That
grains, beans and fruit as they all contain
fill a soup can and while this may be a
is what scientists are now calling the gut
high amounts of fibre, which is the best
rather unsavoury fact, having a large and
because of the enteric nervous system – two
fuel for your gut bacteria.
diverse variety of bacteria inside us is key
thin layers of more than 100 million nerve
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Paa Tanzania
The emphasis should be on plant-
Try to limit the amount of highly
