Did you know that we humans have 10 times as many bacteria in our bodies as we have human cells?
They are found in the stomach, oral cavity, on the skin and in the genital area, where they help protect us from harmful bacteria, balance the pH level, convert food into nutrients and produce important neurotransmitters, among other things.
To say that they are important for our health is a gross understatement, as we would not exist without them.
Benefits of beneficial bacteria
Healthy bacteria play a major role in overall health and contribute, among other things, to:
- Healthy digestion.
- Regulation of the immune system.
- Vaginal health.
- Normal hormonal balance.
- Stabilization of the metabolism.
- Counteracting allergies.
- Elimination of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Psychological / emotional health.
- A healthy gut flora can also help with weight loss, skin problems such as acne or eczema, and make hair and nails stronger.
Healthy digestion
Healthy lactic acid bacteria help support the daily function of the trillions of bacteria that live in the stomach.
Our bacterial friends have a well-defined role in digestion, enabling us to break down and absorb important nutrients such as magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, fats, proteins and complex carbohydrates.
70% of our immune system is controlled by our stomach and intestines. That is why the health of our gut flora plays such an important role. It affects our overall health and our general well-being.
Vaginal health
Lactic acid bacteria also play an important role in maintaining vaginal health.
They provide support by helping to maintain a slightly acidic environment, which helps reduce the overgrowth of bacteria that could otherwise be harmful.
This is particularly important because there are many substances that can negatively affect the vaginal environment, including the use of antibiotics and contraceptives.
Our external environment does not support the bacteria
In an ideal world, we would probably manage simply by eating the right foods.
But that would require a world where food did not contain preservatives and artificial additives. It would be a world free from toxins in the air and water. And perhaps most importantly, it would be a world where we were not exposed to various medications or stress that can cause chaos for our gut bacteria.
It is therefore very easy for the microflora in the stomach to become unbalanced, which can have very negative effects on digestion, our ability to eliminate toxins and our overall sense of well-being.
5 ways to optimize your microflora
It is up to us to support and nourish our inner “bacterial world” through our choice of diet and the type of lifestyle we lead.
- Avoid refined foods as much as you can, such as white flour, white sugar, chemical sweeteners and other additives that disrupt our gut flora.
- Eat plenty of foods that contain beneficial bacteria (probiotics). Examples of such foods include organic fruit, organic vegetables and greens, wild foods and various fermented foods, such as sauerkraut or kimchi.
- Eat plenty of foods that provide nourishment for these bacteria (prebiotics). Examples of foods rich in prebiotic fiber include Jerusalem artichokes, apples, artichokes, asparagus, bananas, berries, legumes, onions and garlic.
- To optimize your flora even further and ensure that it remains rich and healthy, take probiotic supplements* regularly to nourish the beneficial bacteria you already have. *Probiotics are “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a beneficial health effect.”
- Manage stress. Yes, stress also affects our microbes negatively.
How to add beneficial bacteria to your daily life
Lactic acid bacteria do not only play an important role inside our bodies, but also on the outside. They have several uses outside our bodies, such as in skincare and in our homes.
- Skincare: Some of our skincare products contain specific bacterial strains that work on the skin to protect and strengthen “the body’s largest organ”, i.e. the skin.
- In cooking: It is possible to make your own yoghurt, vegan-friendly cheese and ice cream with lactic acid bacteria.
- For plants & animals: Certain combinations of lactic acid bacteria, such as Probioform, can also function as supplements for pets and help increase the vitality of plants both in the home and in the vegetable garden.
- Cleaning products: Beneficial bacteria can help purify and protect against unwanted bad odors, bacteria and more.
How do you use beneficial bacteria in your home?
