Microbiome Health
TLDR - Your microbiome health determines whether you can break down foods effectively to support your “body battery” or if it will contribute to a chronic internal danger response.
Expanded
Our microbiome makes up a complex community of trillions of microorganisms living in our digestive tract. These tiny organisms play an important role in our overall health, influencing everything from digestion to immune function.
Nutrients
Your microbiome plays a crucial role in breaking down the food you eat into the nutrients your body needs for various biological processes. It produces the enzymes necessary for proper digestion, and without these enzymes, your body would struggle to digest food effectively, leading to nutrient deficiencies and impaired functions. These microorganisms help digest complex carbohydrates, synthesize vitamins, and produce short chain fatty acids that fuel your gut cells.
Diet and Microbiome
The foods you eat directly influence the composition and health of your microbiome. A diet rich in whole foods (such as natural meats, fruits, and vegetables) provides the prebiotics and nutrients that beneficial bacteria thrive on. These foods promote a diverse and balanced microbiome, which is essential for optimal gut health.
On the other hand, a diet high in processed and inflammatory foods can disrupt the balance of your microbiome. Highly processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats can promote the growth of harmful bacteria and reduce microbial diversity. This imbalance can lead to an unhealthy biome, impairing your body's ability to break down food and absorb nutrients. Without a healthy microbiome, you won't produce the necessary enzymes to break down foods effectively, further exacerbating digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies.
Light Signaling
Light signaling plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy microbiome. Morning exposure to UVA light is crucial for supporting circadian rhythms, which in turn promote a balanced microbial environment. UVA light triggers the production of hormones like cortisol and melatonin, which have a direct impact on digestion and gut health. Cortisol, released in response to morning light, helps regulate the metabolism and supports efficient digestive processes, creating optimal conditions for beneficial gut bacteria to thrive. Melatonin, influenced by light exposure throughout the day, plays a role in the timing of digestive functions and the protection of the gut lining. This early light exposure also signals the body to initiate essential daily biological processes, such as nutrient absorption and toxin elimination, both of which are key to maintaining a balanced gut microbiome.
Unhealthy Microbiome
An unhealthy microbiome can trigger a chronic danger response in your body, leading to a cascade of negative health effects. This chronic danger response can contribute to:
Chronic Inflammation: An imbalanced microbiome can promote inflammation in the gut, which can spread to other parts of the body. Chronic inflammation is linked to various health conditions, including autoimmune diseases, heart disease, and metabolic disorders.
Food Sensitivities: An unhealthy microbiome can compromise the integrity of the gut lining, leading to increased intestinal permeability, also known as "leaky gut." This can cause undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, triggering immune reactions and food sensitivities.
Digestive Issues: Without a healthy microbiome, your body may struggle to break down food properly, leading to digestive issues such as bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea.
Mental Health: The gut brain axis is a bidirectional communication system between the gut and the brain. An unhealthy microbiome can affect neurotransmitter production and contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Healthy Microbiome
To support a healthy microbiome, consider the following:
Eat a Diverse Diet: Incorporate a variety of whole foods into your diet to promote microbial diversity.
Limit Processed Foods: Reduce your intake of highly processed and inflammatory foods, such as sugary snacks, refined grains, and unhealthy fats.
Get Natural Light Exposure: Spend time outside in the morning to expose yourself to natural light, particularly UVA light. This can help regulate your circadian rhythm and support a healthy microbiome.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of structured water supports digestion and helps maintain a healthy gut environment.
Manage Stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact your microbiome. Practice stress reducing activities such as meditation and deep breathing exercises.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can be found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut. Prebiotics are fibers that feed these beneficial bacteria and can be found in foods like garlic, onions, and bananas. Note that these probiotics and prebiotics can come from local and seasonal foods, so you don’t necessarily need an expensive supplement.