One of the functions of our gut is to protect against infection causing microorganisms entering our bodies. The efficiency of our gut depends on how healthy it is. This is called gut integrity.
The question is – what is a healthy gut?
One of the main factors which increase our gut integrity is the type and amount of bacteria living in it. Approximately 35 to 50%1 of the content of the human colon is bacteria – about 100 trillion of them!!
1 Believe it or not, SOME BACTERIA ARE GOOD and vital to the well being of humans. From birth we start forming a relationship with bacteria. They provide our digestive system with protection and nourishment.
A healthy gut contains lots of good bacteria. These bacteria form a barrier against bad organisms, stimulate our immune system (strengthening it), help us digest food that we cannot, and produce vitamins that our bodies need to function!!
The basic principle of maintaining gut integrity is to look after the good bacteria in your gut so that they can work for you. There are 2 ways of maintaining the balance of bacteria in the gut. Both are linked to our diets… The first is providing the nutrients for good bacteria to thrive, and the other is by taking in new, good bacteria from food sources. This is the concept of PREbiotics and PRObiotics! These are the new “buzz words” in nutrition. In the articles to follow we’ll be taking a closer look at Prebiotics & Probiotics. For further information contact me on neil.stephen@kznhealth.gov.za
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Frozen veggies can be just as nutritious as fresh veggies since they are frozen within hours of being picked, thus locking in vital nutrients.
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