The Human Microbiome & Probiotics

The Human Microbiome & Probiotics: History & Probiotic Benefits

The latest microbial research all points out how important gut health is for our long-term vitality. It takes a toll on our immune system, metabolism, and even our behavior.

Science makes it clear that probiotics positively affects overall health and day-to-day well-being. This article will help you understand all about probiotics and why they’re so important for your long-term health.(1)

The Human Microbiome: History

Our ancestors used to fare well without personal medicine cabinets while treating ailments. Whilst in the past people faced their own set of challenges and lived quite differently, some of their practices actually led to better gut health than we have today.

Everyone has their own unique microbiome. It houses almost 100 trillion bacteria, more than our human cells by a factor of 10 to 1. Since it is mostly composed of bacteria it can sound a bit odd. Many people only think of bacteria as germs but that’s actually not the case at all. (2)

A human body is comprised of varied bacteria that have different jobs. Most of the bacteria are probiotics and are beneficial. They help your body to produce vitamins, absorbing nutrients from your food, and even aid in regulating your mood. (3)
Probiotic bacteria can take up the room by colonizing within your digestive tract obstructing other bacteria to settle in. They can multiply, and create disorder for your system.

Our ancestors had extremely diverse microbiomes. They spent much of their time outdoors and worked in soil filled with beneficial microorganisms. They used natural healing methods to improve their overall health instead of popping antibiotics. They also consumed diets rich in probiotic foods. The natural lifestyles and diets might have contributed to their more pristine microbiomes.

Modern Lifestyle Vs. The Microbiome

We might enjoy modern-day inventions like electricity and the internet and benefit from advances in science and medicine, but our current hygienic habits and lifestyle choices are depleting our microbiome at a breakneck speed.

Our modern industrialized culture isn’t very favorable to maintaining a healthy microbiome. In a study of Science Advances, published in April of 2015 it was found the highest human microbiome diversity ever seen was in an isolated Yanomami tribe who had no contact with the industrialized world. (4)

Instead of consuming fermented and whole foods that come with healthy probiotics and spending time outdoors, people these days consume a diet high in processed food. Modern men spend time indoors at home or at work and lead a high-stress lifestyle. Even if you don’t take antibiotics, both antibiotics and antimicrobials are often unavoidable as you find them in food and water.
The good news is you can improve your gut health with a few simple changes in your daily lifestyle.

Probiotics Can Rescue You

Probiotics are best when it comes to giving your gut a helping hand. They can restore symbiosis to your microbiome. A dysbiosis state of microbiome indicates your microbes aren’t balanced. Bad bacteria can gain a foothold if you’re not careful.

It is good to take probiotics if you are taking antibiotics to repopulate your GI tract with the good bacteria.(5)

Foods that contain probiotics

Some foods are natural probiotics which can be incorporated into your diet. Fermented foods come with plenty of probiotics. You can ferment just about anything including pineapple and turmeric. Some classic staples include: sauerkraut and kimchi. These foods are rich in probiotics and will easily absorb into your body. You can derive maximum benefit from the beneficial bacteria where you need them most. (6)

Probiotic supplements

It can become difficult to get a healthy amount of probiotics with your diet alone, particularly if you are consuming antibiotics. This is why we recommend 2oz of ZanaJuices daily.

The Human Microbiome & Probiotics