Unlocking The "Gut Microbiome". This Guardian article was sent to me by good friend, Arent Lievens, a Belgian lawyer (http://www.ll2.be/), after he read my post about Life being about risk taking, and our modern tendency to be too risk averse. Scientists are just beginning to learn about the gut microbiome and its effect on our immune system and general health. While broad spectrum antibiotics and the risk of their overuse have been know for decades, and we all are familiar with the need for probiotics, the science really isn't there yet. In fact, a combination of factors is making our kids sicker, and many of us are unable to fight bad microbes. The author suggests several ways to fight back:
"Eat more fibre Most of us eat only half the recommended 30g a day. But start slowly – our guts don’t like rapid change
Eat the rainbow Choose colourful fruits and vegetables and try to eat
30 different plants, nuts and seeds every week
Eat foods rich in polyphenols These include dark chocolate and red wine
Eat fermented foods Tim Spector favours kombucha, kefir and kimchi, as well as unpasteurised cheeses
Eat more omega 3 New research suggests a relationship between gut microbes, omega 3 and brain health
Let kids play with dirt and dogs Jack Gilbert’s research has shown that since the gut’s population is seeded in early life, allowing small children to dig in soil and play with domestic animals can undo a lot of the damage modern lifestyles do to our microbiomes
Avoid processed foods Cut back on salt and sugar, both of which seem to affect microbial diversity in the gut."
I can get behind any dietary recommendation that suggests eating more dark chocolate and red wine. Fiber and fiber supplements is a no brainer. As is eating fewer processed foods, and sugar. But, the money quote is that we need to let our kids play in the dirt. May you live long and prosper.
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