A lot of people don’t realise that you’re only ten percent human! That’s right, there are ten times the number of bacterial cells in a human body than there are human cells.
Bacteria play such an important role in keeping us healthy, from regulating our immune system, to digestion, and helping our body ward off diseases.
It’s best to think of it as a partnership. Your body isn’t just ‘you,’ and your bacteria are essential to your health. As science advances and we learn more about our body and its relationship to our diet and lifestyle, it becomes more obvious how much we need our bacteria.
In the past, medicines focussed on killing germs and bacteria to keep us healthy. In truth, this may have done more harm than good. For example, antibiotics were a major breakthrough in fighting infections killing the harmful bacteria making us sick. At the time, we didn’t understand that antibiotics were also killing the ‘good bacteria’ in our gut and intestines that keeps us healthy.
As a result, in the last 50 years we have made massive leaps in eliminating infectious diseases, but we have also seen huge increases in people with allergies and autoimmune diseases. The two are almost certainly related.
Where it’s important for us, is in the relationship between our bacteria and our diet. Studies show how different food promotes the growth of different bacteria in our gut. As well as increasing our risk of obesity and diabetes, diets high in fatty foods also influence the types of microbes that grow in our digestive tract. More balanced or ‘healthy diets’ produced different bacteria.
In the future, it’s possible modern medicine will focus more on harnessing the power of bacteria in our own body, and using ‘bugs as drugs.’
In the meantime, Mark sees the impact of food and diet on people’s health every day. The food we eat can impact on gastro issues, skin conditions, our weight, and even mental health. If you’re suffering from one of these, the answer may not be more medication. In fact, the solution might be in your bacteria.
Do you suffer from acne, reflux, bloating or indigestion? Let’s have a chat about your diet, and how we can promote the ‘good bacteria’ inside you to help you to live well and stay well.
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Don’t you just hate feeling like you’re stuck in traffic? You’re stuck on a long stretch of road, there are no turn-offs or off-ramps, and you feel like you’re going nowhere fast. Isn’t this the same sometimes with our health?
We’re told so much about food. What’s healthy, what’s good for us. There is so much information out there. New studies every month, it can get a bit confusing. Some of the experts in our industry who are meant to be telling us the ‘right’ or ‘healthy’ things to eat are sometimes dealing with corrupt information.
At this time when we’re talking about isolation and social distancing, I want to encourage you that it’s not the same as losing the emotional connection to other people. For your wellbeing, how are you staying connected?
Coming into winter, what’s your seatbelt of health? What added layer of protection do you need to prevent yourself from serious harm?
The purpose of this website is promoting understanding and awareness of integrated medicine and various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions regarding a medical condition, treatment or before starting a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Stay Well Clinic
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Christchurch 8042
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