Since commercials first started appearing on regular television about the importance of probiotics, people have increasingly been paying attention to the importance of their intestinal flora and what good gut bacteria can do for their health. Many people do not realize the far reaching effects that a healthy gut can have on their overall well being and health or how they should go about getting healthy bacteria to thrive in their gut.
The Benefits of a Healthy Gut
Preliminary studies have showed the benefits of healthy intestinal flora to be many and far reaching. For example, a preliminary review of the intestinal bacteria in the elderly, published by Nature, has shown that those with a varied and healthy gut were much more cognitively alert and less frail than those who did not. In other studies, the gut flora has been shown to aid digestion, help the body to produce the necessary vitamins to thrive, and help to boost the immune system. Many scientists and doctors studying this area of health believe that the proof will only become stronger that healthy intestinal flora is strongly linked to overall health as well as how the body handles and fights disease.
Promoting a Healthy Gut
The first step towards improving the intestinal flora in a person’s body is to vary the diet. A good diet will include a wide variety of whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and plenty of fish and poultry. There should be a good amount of fiber included naturally in the diet and minimum intake of sugar and sweets. It is also a good idea to eat fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, or fresh sauerkraut to get some natural probiotics.
