Build up gut flora – bring bacteria under control

Does the thought of the unexpected population of bacteria in your gut make you wrinkle your nose? It's true that your gut was once completely sterile. But that changed abruptly at birth. Newborns pick up their first bacteria right in the birth canal. Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are among the first to arrive in the gut. As the baby is passed around within the family, the number of bacteria quickly increases.

If we look at the intestinal flora of an adult, four strains of bacteria dominate:

• Actinobacteria
• Firmicutes
• Bacteroidetes
• Proteobacteria

Your gut is home to between 100 and 200 different types of bacteria. Some stool samples have even been found to contain up to 1,500 different types of bacteria. When the microbiome is balanced, the "good" bacteria always predominate.

Let's first look at the causes of an imbalanced gut flora. Most commonly, the valve between the small and large intestine no longer closes properly, allowing bacteria from the large intestine to migrate into the small intestine.

Other risk factors for a disturbed gut flora:

• diabetes
• Overweight
• immunodeficiency
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Liver cirrhosis

You can't make a diagnosis yourself, of course, but there are some signs that indicate a disturbed microbiome and that you shouldn't ignore:

• heartburn
• Flatulence
• Diarrhea
• constipation
• cramps
• foul-smelling stool

If you want to know for sure, a stool sample is necessary. If this is examined more closely in the laboratory, the focus is on the following standard values:

• Fungi : Fungi, specifically Candida fungi, grow in your intestines. If they proliferate excessively, a fungal overgrowth can lead to bladder infections, migraines, food cravings, and other symptoms that are actually quite atypical for a disturbed gut flora.
• Changes in the microbiome : Doctors examine the ratio between anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. This allows them to determine whether harmful bacteria are already dominant and whether inflammation levels in the body have increased as a result.
• Histamine : Determining the histamine level is an important marker for identifying changes in the body. Histamine can be detected in stool. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will likely order a blood test.

Over the course of our lives, a microbiome builds up, consisting of hundreds of different types of bacteria. If you were to weigh all your gut bacteria, they would weigh a whopping 1.5 kilograms.

Beneficial gut bacteria perform amazing feats and influence:

• the functioning of the immune system
• the energy supply of the cells
• the breakdown of pollutants in the body
• the formation of vitamin K

Ultimately, a healthy gut microbiome maintains gut health. Scientists now believe that an imbalanced gut flora can also disrupt mental health and may contribute to depression or anxiety disorders. However, further research is needed in this area.

It is a fact that an imbalanced gut flora can trigger various ailments and, in the worst case, lead to inflammation in the large intestine and blood clotting disorders . To prevent this, it is important to recognize and treat an imbalanced gut flora.

When it comes to gut flora, the terms prebiotics and probiotics often seem quite abstract to the layperson. But once we unravel the mystery, it quickly becomes clear that prebiotics are actually dietary fiber .

The indigestible components of our food stimulate the growth of healthy gut bacteria and thus support gut health. Prebiotics are on the menu of bifidobacteria, which in turn are classified as probiotics.

When bifidobacteria sufficiently feed on lactic acid bacteria, E. coli, clostridia, and other harmful bacteria are outnumbered. You'll notice this in improved digestion, a healthy and rested gut, and long, strenuous trips to the toilet becoming a thing of the past.

Probiotics are live microorganisms found in yogurt or kefir. They are believed to support the balance of the gut flora and promote the growth of "good" bacteria .

Some probiotics can do even more: they can fight harmful germs with their own produced "antibiotics" and promote the activity of certain immune cells . For these beneficial effects to occur, probiotics must be able to reach the large intestine unimpeded. Therefore, it is important to look for bacterial cultures that can pass through stomach acid, bile, and the enzymes in the digestive tract without being harmed.

You've probably heard of probiotic foods. These products contain an extra dose of microorganisms. You can add probiotics to your yogurt in the morning, and various drinks also contain substances that are beneficial for gut health.

If something in your intestines has gone awry, it's important to repair the damage as quickly as possible.

If the intestinal flora is built up as gently as possible and with natural means, as described, serious side effects usually do not occur.

The following side effects cannot be ruled out, especially during the first step, cleansing and detoxification:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• nausea
• Flatulence
• Circulatory problems

An electrolyte imbalance caused by dehydration can trigger circulatory problems and cramps. Avoid drastic measures such as enemas. Improper use can lead to intestinal wall injuries and abdominal infections.

The gut is populated by hundreds of different types of bacteria. This is necessary and desirable. Gut bacteria have important functions to perform. They supply cells with energy, are involved in the production of vitamin K, and regulate the breakdown of toxins in the body. If the balance between "good" and "bad" gut bacteria gets out of control, we speak of a disrupted microbiome. Digestive problems can result. If you want to rebuild your gut flora, you need to proceed step by step. First, the gut is cleansed, and then the balance in the gut can be gradually restored through the targeted administration of prebiotics and probiotics. You can support this process with SHEKO Symbiotic Balance. With 21 beneficial bacterial strains, this biotic complex promotes a healthy microbiome.