Like a blossoming garden needs diverse plants and blooms, the digestive system needs a variety of bacteria says Nutritional Therapist, Sarah Brereton.

 

Looking after ourselves can be challenging. We all live busy lives. Yet, to keep up that frantic pace, we need to get the self-care basics right. Nutritional health, and much more, starts in the digestive tract. New research even suggests that the digestive tract may be the true seat of the emotions, so to look after ourselves, we also have to look after those microflorae.

 

The bacteria which make up our microflora form a delicate and constantly changing balance as they compete with each other. Collectively, they are known as your gut microbiota. Each person has his or her own microbiome, just like a fingerprint, with hundreds of different bacterial strains. These strains include lactobacillae and bifidobacteria. Lactobacillae are located throughout the digestive tract and are especially abundant in the small intestine while Bifidobacteria are especially abundant in the large intestine or colon and perform a variety of functions that help stabilise the microbiome.

 

As the human body is a living, breathing ecosystem, and just like a blossoming garden needs a diverstity of plants and blooms, the digestive system needs a variety of bacteria. Although the word bacteria is usually associated with germs and illness, bacteria are needed for the body to function normally.

 

Age, lifestyle and environmental factors such as poor eating habits, chlorinated drinking water, stress, disease, the use of antibiotics in food production as well as in medical treatments, travel bugs, alcohol consumption, high sugar intake, ageing, GMO’s and a number of other factors can alter the balance of bacteria in the gut.

 

Some of the best ways to keep those friendly bacteria performing optimally, is to ensure that we eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables, a high fibre diet, a diet rich in fermented foods, exercise, relaxation, good quality sleep and supplement with a high potency microbiotic. If required, choose a microbiotic that has both strains of lactobacillae and bifidobacterial, this will be detailed on the pack, or simply ask in store.

 

Udo’s Choice Super 8 contains 42 billion ‘friendly’ bacteria per daily capsule and eight strains of both lactobacilli, which are found in the small intestine, and bifidobacteria, found in the large intestine, meaning that the entire tract is covered. Super 8 hi-count microbiotic is ideal for both everyday use and short periods throughout the year. Super 8’s also have a Gastric Guard Guarantee, which means the bacteria is guaranteed to survive passage through stomach acid, and is suitable from 5+ years.

 

For Infants, Udo’s Choice Infants Blend powder, contains six bacterial strains of both lactobacillae and bifidobacterial and recently won the Mums and Tot’s Award for best infants product. Suitable from birth, simply add to breast milk, formula or other liquid once cooled.

Find Udos Choice Microbiotics in the fridge in your local health store or pharmacy.