Beyond. Health and Wellness Magazine June 2016 | Page 7

The number and diversity of this
bacteria are so important that certain
conditions are even thought to be
at least partially linked to allergies,
asthma, bowel problems, brain health,
immune system concerns, diabetes,
obesity, inflammation and even possibly
autism.
It seems that bacteria health is most
important in the digestive system.
We know that these bacteria are
responsible for breaking down food,
producing certain vitamins (such as
B vitamins and Vitamin K) and play a
significant role in immune function.
One of the major assaults to the
development of the microbiome seems
to happen from a young age now. The
following concerns can lead to a decreased
diversity and number of bacteria and
you can see how this depletion of friendly
bacteria happens early on:
• C-section births since one of the major
ways that babies are first exposed to
bacteria are through the vaginal canal
• Formula feeding
• Antibiotics are taken during pregnancy
• Antibiotics are given during delivery
• Antibiotics prescribed to young children
• 80% of antibiotics in our country are given
to animals, so we are exposed to a lot of
antibiotics through the food that we are fed
• Increased use of antimicrobial products
• Many times when antibiotics are
prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics that
are engineered to kill off a large range
of different bacteria. These antibiotics,
unfortunately, also attack the friendly
bacteria that make us up.

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What can we do:
1.

Reduce toxic load. The amount of
toxins that we hold compete with
the friendly bacteria and kill them off.
Assess for any underlying infections,
inflammation, or heavy metals and
deal with these concerns. Detox on a
regular basis.
(Check out our 28-day detox Course at http://
courses.beyondthebasicshealthacademy.com/
courses/28-day-detoxification-transformation)

2.

Reinoculate your gut with good
bacteria. I truly believe that
everyone should take a probiotic
for life. My recommendations are to
take a different probiotic each time
that you are done with one. And the
strain number should always be in the
BILLIONS. Remember that it is not only
about the number of bacteria but also
the different strains.

3.

Put in fermented foods that help to
increase the number of microbes.
This includes foods like kombucha, kefir,
kimchi, and sauerkraut.

4.

Don’t forget the PREbiotics that
contribute to feeding the bacteria
and keep the friendly bacteria at a
healthy level. This food for the bacteria
includes fiber, inulin, and FOS.

5.

Have to take antibiotics? That
is okay if there is a need and it is
for a short period. No worries. Add in
the probiotic strain Saccharomyces
boulardii while you are on the