Our Human Gut Microbiome

[David777]

Recently we commented on a thread about humans colonizing worlds beyond our Earth. I tossed some cold water on that notion by relating both we and other higher animals have an as yet barely understood symbiotic relationship with myriad bacteria and viruses, that science is only beginning to understand. And that even if we organic creatures found an unlikely way to travel to other worlds, we would hopelessly contaminate those worlds with all these Earth microbes. Something news media rarely addresses because it is like sticking a pin in a balloon.

One thing the video doesn't mention is that antibiotics can destroy gut microbiomes that then must be rebuilt. Occasionally consuming probiotic yogurt drinks can reintroduce healthy bacteria. The below video also shares how obesity is related to our microbiome. For a short simple fun primer, watch this fun 7:38 minute Kurzgesagt video:

Rule Over Your Body – The Microbiome

 

[Debrah N.]

I've been watching videos too lately, on how important the gut microbiome is so important for our mental health, weight issues, cancer prevention......so many aspects of health in general. And if you run into trouble with your gut (Crohns, IBS,SIBO, etc.) it's a nightmare to deal with.

And yes, eating fermented foods on a regular basis is about the best way to try and restart that Microbiome. The one doctor I've been following says that many of the probiotics that you can buy are not as resistant to the acids in your stomach as they need to be to get to the lower bowel, but because fermented foods contain live bacteria in a light acid bath (the vinegar), they have a better chance of getting through to their proper destination. I wish I like sauerkraut even a little because that's probably one of the best and easiest to make at home.

 

[gruntlabor]

I've been watching videos too lately, on how important the gut microbiome is so important for our mental health, weight issues, cancer prevention......so many aspects of health in general. And if you run into trouble with your gut (Crohns, IBS,SIBO, etc.) it's a nightmare to deal with.

And yes, eating fermented foods on a regular basis is about the best way to try and restart that Microbiome. The one doctor I've been following says that many of the probiotics that you can buy are not as resistant to the acids in your stomach as they need to be to get to the lower bowel, but because fermented foods contain live bacteria in a light acid bath (the vinegar), they have a better chance of getting through to their proper destination. I wish I like sauerkraut even a little because that's probably one of the best and easiest to make at home.

You could maybe make or buy kimchi instead of sauerkraut (or add it to sauerkraut) and use as a condiment rather than a dish.
Remember that raw fermented foods like sauerkraut or kombucha can contribute to overgrowth of candida.

 

[David777]

For those that found value in the above fun cartoon introductory microbiome video and now want to get deeper into the subject, especially if you want to improve your own as @Debrah N. related, and have 108 minutes, then I will highly recommend the below link:

How to Enhance Your Gut Microbiome for Brain & Overall Health

Doctor Huberman is a recognized neuroscientist expert that teaches at Stanford with a considerable Youtube following. The clarity of his speaking voice, and delivery of language as a speaker is excellent. The video ought be watched with Closed Captions, CC, enabled, that for learning memory sake I advocate for any Youtube teaching videos because information enters one's brain with cross links for both aural and written language visual ways.

What I personally dislike is that during the whole 108 minute video, a podcast camera is pointing at him without any supporting graphics. Thus I usually place a black window above the CC text blocking the rest of his body haha. Some fascinating, illuminating topics including current research and opinions of true experts. Will be especially so for those people with obese, mood, depression, birth, immune system, food selection, and gastrointestinal disorder issues. At the end he does discuss at lengths foods for improving one's microbiome. One thing this person has done for decades is consume much dairy. In recent years that includes some popular probiotic yogurt drinks.

 

[David777]

After reading per videos about sauerkraut benefits, a food I've rarely eaten since it is more often served with processed red meats, am going to buy one of the below $3.12 two pound refrigerated packages at a Walmart Neighborhood Market, and try some. Lots of much more pricy Sauerkraut with any web searching. Of course, most young kids make a face trying to eat any sour foods.

Silver Floss Naturally Fermented Shredded Sauerkraut, 2 lb Bag - Walmart.com

 

[gruntlabor]

After reading per videos about sauerkraut benefits, a food I've rarely eaten since it is more often served with processed red meats, am going to buy one of the below $3.12 two pound refrigerated packages at a Walmart Neighborhood Market, and try some. Lots of much more pricy Sauerkraut with any web searching. Of course, most young kids make a face trying to eat any sour foods.

Silver Floss Naturally Fermented Shredded Sauerkraut, 2 lb Bag - Walmart.com

I recommend Eden Foods Organic Kimchi Sauerkraut as an introduction to sauerkraut. I use it liberally as a condiment.

 

[David777]

Thanks @gruntlabor. Read reviews online:

https://www.amazon.com/Eden-SAUERKRAUT-KMCHI-ORG/dp/B073G7TNV3

Even mildly spicy foods are very difficult for this person to consume. So not for this person. Also, this person that is not much of a restaurant goer or gourmet, does not enjoy eating foods with strong strange ethnic flavors or smells. If I try anything, it will need to be freshly made, refrigerated, with few added ingredients. I'll eat small amounts and then wait a few hours to evaluate effects.

 

[gruntlabor]

I understand. I hope you enjoy sauerkraut. It is easy to make and good for you.

 

[dobielvr]

You could maybe make or buy kimchi instead of sauerkraut (or add it to sauerkraut) and use as a condiment rather than a dish.
Remember that raw fermented foods like sauerkraut or kombucha can contribute to overgrowth of candida.

I keep kimchi (spicy) in the fridge, or I make my own pickled vegs.
Surprised to read about the overgrowth of candida from those 2 foods.

 

[Debrah N.]

After reading per videos about sauerkraut benefits, a food I've rarely eaten since it is more often served with processed red meats, am going to buy one of the below $3.12 two pound refrigerated packages at a Walmart Neighborhood Market, and try some. Lots of much more pricy Sauerkraut with any web searching. Of course, most young kids make a face trying to eat any sour foods.

Silver Floss Naturally Fermented Shredded Sauerkraut, 2 lb Bag - Walmart.com

I still make that face and I've been eating it almost every day for the past two months. In fact, I put it on my cutting board and chop it up really fine so that I don't have to chew it. I find it just disgusting.

 

[gruntlabor]

I still make that face and I've been eating it almost every day for the past two months. In fact, I put it on my cutting board and chop it up really fine so that I don't have to chew it. I find it just disgusting.

.. you could add a little sugar??

 

[hearlady]

I've been studying this for a couple of years now and gradually changing over to a traditional foods diet.
I make Sourdough, fermented foods, and soak nuts, beans, rice, oats. I haven't started grinding and soaking grains like wheat, spelt, or einkorn, but that may be on the horizon.
I like making cultured dairy like yogurt, sour cream, and I want to make cultured butter.
So many things to try like kombucha and kefir.
It's kind of a hobby with benefits like DHs organic gardening is a hobby with benefits and they work together.

 

[Debrah N.]

.. you could add a little sugar??

When you're dealing with gut issues, all the advice is to avoid sugar so I try t just swallow it as fast as possible.

 

[Paco Dennis]

For aprox. 10 years Misa and I have been researching the "gut biota". Right now I have colitis. Apparently what you eat can effect the flair ups that occur with this ailment. I am going to take many supplements this morning. Each researched as well as possible for the intended use, It is easy to do research online, and even easier with an AI assistant. After asking it a question about a supplement or food that can effect our biota or other supplement use, we cut and paste important info it a reliable search engine. Then read many articles about what them. Never trust an AI assistant, but you would be surprised at how easy it is to search for answers with it.

I think we all need to become our own health advocates. We have the tools, and a forum like this that can help us become very involved in understanding our health. I personally try to keep a balanced approach in that I also don't want to get fanatical or to extreme. That is fine for some, and don't feel bad about people never caring. We all are different.

Since paying attention to our food and supplements over the years has helped us in many ways. Mainly our health. We lost about 40lbs. The constant gut problems stopped. We don't feel sluggish but feel healthy (er). It is important to stay on it daily if you can. Keep taking the supplements and eating healthy foods and drinks each day. Again if that's not your thing...fine. It is important to me and Misa and most people I know now. We all are in the buz of supplements city now.

Hands are looking better.

 

[Debrah N.]

100% I think being your own health advocate as often as possible, is a must these days. Too many people don't have access to medical care, too many doctors are stuck in 'by the book' or simply too busy to keep up with new research or just don't care.

Many years ago, my husband asked a doctor why his eyes looked kind of 'ivory' coloured instead of white. Doctor asked him what he did for work, he said I'm a high rise window cleaner and that doctor told him then, just 'weathered eyes'. who ever heard of that eh? So life goes on. Then during covid, he started having little moments of nausea that would just suddenly over come him. Went to our new doctor, explained his symptoms and the doctor prescribed an anti nausea drug to take every morning and lo and behold, no more episodes of nausea. He was very pleased.

But then we moved to Alberta and after a few months, his prescription refills ran out and so we started looking for a doctor to give him a new prescription. Doctors in short supply, but we got hooked up with a nurse practitioner. Just to have a base understanding of our health as we were now seniors, she sent us for all the blood tests. She called him in to discuss and the first words and repeatedly were, 'I'm so sorry......'

Come to find out he had Hepatitis B, had had it for YEARS and his liver was thrashed. Fortunately, there's now a new and very expensive drug ($800 a pill) that can cure you and save you from dying of Hep.B, she put him on it and after two months on the drug, he was healed and healthy. But because his liver is so badly scarred, he'll have to get checked every six months to make sure his liver is still functioning.

That's a great reason why turning to Dr. Google these days, is not a bad idea. Not that we could have referred for any of the tests needed, but a better understanding of what his symptoms might mean would have given us a better reason to keep hammering on a doctor for help when he had the 'weathered eyes' or the episodes of nausea. Let's hope our new doctor is as thorough as our now retired nurse practitioner was, she saved my husbands life.