Nutrition in Norfolk

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Intestinal Challenges, Skin Problems, Fatigue Syndromes, Immune System Challenges  –  A Special Job of the ‘Mighty Microbes’ 

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An emerging health opportunity from the ‘Mighty Microbes’ in the intestinal area. Your gut is home to trillions of tiny organisms, often called the gut microbiome. When beneficial bacteria ferment in the intestinal area they produce active by-products that have some amazing benefits beyond the commonly known bowel health.

In this blog I will touch on two of these particularly special compounds, so you can see how important it is to encourage their presence and proliferation

Some amazing benefits

The first of these compounds are known as short chain fatty acids or SCFA and these provide an energy source for the cells that line the intestinal area, especially those lining the colon. If we stretched out the intestinal area it would be the size of a studio apartment and the integrity of this area is so important for nutrient absorption, to form a protective barrier to prevent disease entry into the system, to support a healthy immune system and influence a lower inflammatory response
The second compounds are bacteriocins and these keep the ‘baddies’ of the microbes in check – they act as natural anti-microbials to kill off microbes that can cause illness

Who Benefits Particularly – everyone does however especially:

  • For people with auti-immune conditions; encouraging a good balance of beneficial bacteria is extremely supportive, especially at reducing inflammation through the amazing level of interaction of these compounds with the cells lining the intestinal area and the immune tissue in this area
  • Skin conditions including acne, eczema and roseacea, through what is known as the Gut-skin-axis
  • Bowel and digestive challenges via improvements to the integrity of the intestinal area and the secretions that support digestion and peristalsis
  • Fatigue syndromes, especially where nutrient absorption is improved with a better functioning intestine
  • Diabetes patients and to support good blood sugar management, by encouraging the secretions of natural GLP-1 to influence insulin release and manage appetite.

All areas of health are benefited; however we should encourage a natural balanced intake for foods that support these functions.

 Simple actions to take:

A diet as close to how Nature intended with good wholefoods and fermented foods

  • Add fermented foods to the diet – Kefir, live yoghurts, Kimchi, (where appropriate)
  • Ensure there is a good fibre intake daily from wholefoods
  • Have a daily intake of berries, apples, pomegranate lentils, pulses and beans, onions, garlic, leeks, leafy greens…
  • And ditch the UPFs – killers of good intestinal health!

For an individualised help for a specific area of health contact :jane@nutritioninnorfolk.co.uk or  www.nutritioninnorfolk.co.uk – Phone:07740287458

References

Herbert F. Helander and Lars Fändriks. Surface area of the digestive tract – revisited. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 2014.

Tolhurst G. et al. Short-chain fatty acids stimulate glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion via the G-protein-coupled receptor FFAR2. Diabetes, 2012.

Golpour F. et al. Short chain fatty acids, a possible treatment option for autoimmune diseases. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2023.