Micro flora balance is key to health

Micro flora balance is key to health


(NaturalNews) The digestive tract is loaded with trillions of
microorganisms that form a natural ecosystem commonly called the gut
flora. Certain lifestyle stressors throw off the natural symbiosis and
cause a rise in pathogenic microbes, chronic gut inflammation and damage
to the gut lining. Healthy micro flora balance is a key health
essential.

The beneficial micro flora digest our food and produce
enzymes that metabolize protein into absorbable amino acids. These key
enzymes also transport key vitamins, minerals and other nutrients
through the intestinal wall and into the blood stream where they are
effectively carried to cells that are in need of these nutrient
packages.

These beneficial species also help the body produce and
metabolize vitamin K2, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, folic acid and pantothenic
acid. Without adequate microflora production, the body will suffer from
poor calcium metabolism, neuromuscular function and chronic inflammatory
conditions due to deficiencies in these very important nutrients.


Two arms of the gut flora

The
gut flora has two major arms. The first arm senses our environment by
reading the environmental toxins that are coming into the body. When
environmental factors such as dust, chemicals, animal hair and pollen
fall on the mucous membranes, the progenic bacteria sense and react to
them. The second arm is responsible for immune activation and
inflammatory based reactions.

When the first arm is damaged, the
second arm begins to become hyperactive which leads to autoimmune
reactions. Depending upon the genetic tendencies of the individual, this
can result in asthma, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple
sclerosis, Hashimoto's or Graves thyroiditis, fibromyalgia, Crohn's
disease, etc.

Contaminants destroy gut flora balance

Antibiotics
are the most lethal thing for our microbial balance. After a round of
antibiotics it will take at least four to eight weeks to reestablish the
gut. This time period
is an opportunistic window for parasites to establish themselves on the
gut wall. Eating conventional meat, dairy and poultry products can be
as dangerous as taking antibiotic prescriptions due to the amount of
antibiotics present in these products.

Foods high in sugar and
processed carbohydrates increase the number and variety of different
strains of Candida in the body. These foods also promote the growth of
parasitic worms in the gut environment.

Medications of all types
including contraception pills and corticosteroids are extremely
hazardous to the gut flora. Dental fluoride treatments and fluoride
based toothpaste are damaging to the microbial balance. Chlorinated
water is particularly dangerous as it sterilizes our gut and repeated
exposure destroys the progenic bacteria in the gut.

A diet high
in fermented veggies and drinks such as coconut water kefir, ginger
beer, raw sauerkraut, kombucha and kimchi help restore microbial
balance. Fermented, raw dairy from 100 percent organic, grass-fed cows
and goats is outstanding for gut health. This would include amasai, raw
cheese and fermented whey. These are some of the best probiotic carriers
and have been used for thousands of years by healthy cultures all over
the world.

The rest of the diet should be rich in good fats such
as coconut, avocados, olive oil and sprouted nuts and seeds. Clean
animal foods such as grass-fed beef, organic poultry and eggs are highly
recommended. Probiotic supplements are especially important to speed up
the restoration of the gut flora and maintain balance afterwards.

Intermittent
fasting for periods of 12 to 24 hours daily can be especially
beneficial for regulating the gut flora. These fasting periods should
include lots of fluids and fermented drinks that bring enzymes,
probiotics and organic acids into the gut environment. Longer cleansing
periods with fermented drinks are recommended from time to time.

Source:-
http://www.naturalnews.com/038424_micro_flora_digestive_tract_good_health.html