Behaviors that change gut microbial health:

• taking antibiotics
• Diets high in sugar and processed foods
• taking probiotics

Antibiotics: Antibiotics have been used a lot over the last century and have saved countless lives from diseases however, there is a negative side affect when taking antibiotic medications. Antibiotics are used to prevent the further spread of a pathogenic/ infectious bacteria causing disease to the patient. As the antibiotics are killing off the bacteria causing disease, it is also taking away the “good” bacteria in our bodies along with it . This causes dysbiosis in our gut microbiome and can negatively cause inflammation of the gut. As we have learned previously, inflammation can possibly lead to diseases like IBS, and with the overgrowth of bad bacteria, infections with bacteria like Candida albicans, and Clostridium difficile (C.diff) can be common.

High sugar Diet: Eating a diet that consists of excess refined sugars like high-fructose corn syrup, and processed foods is also shown to cause more inflammation in the gut, and increasing risks of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Diets high in sugar decreases the amount of diversity of good bacterium species in the gut and actually favors for more detrimental bacteria to continue to grow. When this happens, this can also lead to increased sugar cravings, and this will continue on a cycle until dietary changes can start to be made.

Probiotics: probiotics are microorganisms that promote healthy gut bacterial growth as well as health benefits to help control the over growth of bad microbes in our gut. Probiotics can be found in things like greek yogurt, kombucha, and cultured milk. Taking a supplemental probiotic, or increasing the intake of foods high in probiotics can also help with better absorption of proteins and vitamins in the gut. Taking probiotics can also help regulate the symptoms from other gut related diseases like IBS, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, constipation and diarrhea.