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Condition of gut bacteria linked to lifestyle choices
May 8, 2016, 10:48 am


Foods like fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea, yogurt and buttermilk can increase the diversity of bacteria in a person's intestines, and that diversity can help ward off illness.

It is believed that higher diversity and richness in gut bacteria is beneficial. On the other hand, foods containing loads of simple carbohydrates appear to reduce bacterial diversity in the gut, and these include high-fat whole milk and sugar-sweetened soda.

In addition, medications can also play a part in the makeup of your gut bacteria. Antibiotics and antacids can cut down on gut bacterial diversity while smoking and heart attacks can have a negative effect.

Each person's intestines contain trillions of microorganisms, which doctors refer to as the "gut microbiome. It's the largest immune system in the body, and these bacteria have a very dramatic and prominent role in determining health and disease.

To study the effect of lifestyle on the gut microbiome, stool samples were collected from more than 1,100 people living in the northern Netherlands.



Both studies concluded that diet has a profound effect on the diversity of gut bacteria, although, the underlying theories of these dietary factors remain largely unknown.

Researchers noted that medicines can have the same effect, and antibiotics actually can kill off some important strains of gut bacteria. One dose of an antibiotic may disrupt your gut bacteria for a year.




Other research has shown that poor sleep, obesity, diabetes and the use of artificial sweeteners also can interfere with gut bacteria. Once researchers have a clearer understanding of the gut microbiome and its effects on health, doctors could be able to help prevent or heal illness by reading or influencing the bacteria within people's bodies. The personalized microbiome may assist in personalized nutrition, personalized medicine, disease risk stratification and treatment decision-making.

In the meantime, the general rule is a balanced diet with high fiber and low carbs tends to drive a better gut health overall.

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