WHAT DO THEY DO?
Did you know that you are not alone? If fact, you have trillions
of live bacteria living in your body. Bacteria outnumber the cells in your body by 10 to 1. Without them we die.
You have a complex social network of living organisms occupying your skin, genital areas, mouth, lungs, eyes and especially your digestive system.
These little guys don’t just hang out and party on the fermented food in your gut, they give add a wellspring of health to your life like:
- Help Digest Proteins- Yes, even hot dogs.
- Manufacture B Vitamins- Helping red blood cell formation.
- Mature B12 Formation- Think mental alertness.
- Vitamin K Production- Needed for blood clotting.
- Absorption of Minerals- Calcium for example.
- Stabilize Estrogen- Decreasing chances of breast cancer.
- 80% of your immune system- Warriors against molds & fungus
- Process Heavy Metals- Not the music
AND Make You Happy- What? My stomach health is linked to my mental health? Yes it is! Many scientists call your stomach your second brain.
Serotonin, a neurotransmitter is known as the “happy” hormone. It is responsible for helping with mood swings, depression and anxiety. Well, 95% of your serotonin is found in the bowels, is partially regulated by gut flora and influences your brain. Have you ever had a “gut feeling”?
Antidepressants like Prozac are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and increase serotonin levels also but, interestingly, can cause stomach problems.
A study in the journal Neurogastroenterology & Motility, showed that mice lacking gut bacteria are more likely to participate in “high-risk behavior.” This also showed up in altered brain chemistry. Let’s give probiotics to prisoners and street people!
You know about the brain/body connection but don’t forget about the brain/bowel or even better the bowel/brain connection.
We hope you enjoy our series on friendly bacteria.
