Information regarding our gut and how it works

More than 500 bacterial species, friends and foes, enrich or impoverish our intestinal flora, which is known as the microbiota. The microbiota of each of us is unique just like our fingerprints.

It is an integral part of our body. But up till today, there is so little known about its existence and the essential role it plays in our health. More numerous than all the stars in our galaxy, billions of microorganisms co-exist to form a rich and complex ecosystem.

Intestinal flora under influence

We are not all equal when we talk about intestinal flora. In our gut, pathogenic and beneficial bacteria co-exist and many factors can impact our microbiota:

• Age
• Stress levels
• Quality of intestinal flora transmitted during birth by mother
• Diet
• Lifestyle
• Antibiotics, radiotherapy or chemo
• Hepatic or renal diseases
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
• Travelling

Any alteration in our intestinal microflora has repercussions on our health and wellbeing and can be the reason for fatigue, abdominal pain, cramps, flatulence, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.

The challenges of a healthy, diversified and balanced intestinal flora:

When intestinal microbiota has 85% beneficial bacteria, it is considered healthy. Some of the preponderant role it plays on our health consist of:

It makes the selection between good and harmful bacteria, fights off pathogenic substances and protects our intestinal barrier. It is necessary for the digestion, absorption of nutrients and vitamins, for example, Vitamin K and B which play a vital role in our metabolism.

It also works as a shield, where the majority of our immune system is localized in our gut.

Microbiota these days can be considered as an organ, a major player for our immune system and metabolism. A quality probiotic supplement is an easy and safe way to help with the restoration of the balance of your intestinal flora and maximise its role.