9 effective tips for building up intestinal flora

Posted: August 14, 2024
Irina  Fink
Irina Fink

Naturopath

"I read somewhere that a high-fat diet can damage the intestinal flora and lead to weight gain," writes one customer. "Should I be worried if I eat a high-fat diet?" 

It is true that eating habits influence the intestinal flora, for better or for worse. A change in the intestinal flora (generally all the microorganisms that live in the body) can lead to weight gain .

For most of human history, we have consumed proportionally more omega-3 fats than omega-6 fats. Foods from wild animals such as grazing livestock or freshly caught fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, but this type of diet is no longer relevant today. Factory farmed animals, whose products make up a large part of our modern diet, unfortunately contain almost no omega-3 fatty acids.

In fact, some studies show that a high-fat diet can have a negative effect on the intestinal flora and promote inflammation or weight gain.

Contents

Why is it so important to build up healthy intestinal flora?

Optimal gut health and building healthy gut flora has become an important health issue. Poor gut flora with harmful organisms is associated with numerous health problems , including:

  • Autism
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Allergies
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Depression
  • Cancer
  • Heart diseases
  • Connective tissue weakness
  • Eczema
  • Asthma

 


➤ The list of demonstrable links between chronic diseases and unbalanced intestinal flora is getting longer and longer.


 

Many scientists are already talking about the gut as a kind of "second brain" . An idea that is reflected in a number of popular books (The Good Gut, Brainmaker, The Microbiome Solution, The Gut Balance Revolution). 

Gut health is more than just the annoyance of a little bloating or heartburn. It is of central importance for general health and is connected to all processes in the body. This is why many naturopaths always start with the intestines or the development of healthy intestinal flora when treating chronic health problems. This is often done with the help of probiotics and a change in diet.

To understand the importance of good gut health, it is helpful to imagine that our gut contains 500 species of bacteria with a total weight of 1.5 kg. That's billions of microorganisms, which together have 100 times more genes than humans. The 20,000 human genes are matched by 2,000,000 (or even more) bacterial genes.

What is the role of intestinal flora?

The intestinal flora, also known as the microbiome , plays an essential role in our health. Figuratively, it can be seen as a complex factory that is not only responsible for the digestion of food, but also produces vitamins , influences hormone balanceeliminates toxins, produces healing substances and keeps the digestive system healthy.

Optimal nutrient utilization is only possible with healthy intestinal flora.

The balance of the intestinal flora is crucial for maintaining health. Similar to a dense rainforest with its diversity of life, the intestinal flora must also have a balanced ratio of microorganisms. An imbalance, whether due to an excess of harmful bacteria or a lack of beneficial bacteria, can lead to serious health problems .

How can the intestinal flora be built up and what should be taken into account?

1. nutrition and ratio of fatty acids

A balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet is very important. While omega-6 fatty acids have a pro-inflammatory effect and can disrupt the balance of the intestinal flora, which can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance, omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and support healthy intestinal flora.

2. probiotics after antibiotics

Taking antibiotics disrupts the intestinal flora, as not only harmful bacteria but also beneficial bacteria are killed off. It is therefore important to rebuild the intestinal flora after antibiotic therapy. This can be supported by a healthy diet and the intake of probiotics, living microorganisms that strengthen the health of the intestinal flora.

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3. sleep and stress management

Lack of sleep and constant stress also contribute to intestinal imbalance. Mental stress and lack of sleep can have a negative effect on the balance of the intestinal flora. This is because the intestinal flora listens to our thoughts and feelings, so to speak, and is influenced by them. Therefore, rest and sufficient sleep are important aspects of maintaining healthy intestinal flora.

The right diet is crucial

A balanced diet is crucial for the balance and development of healthy intestinal flora. The intake of fiber, protein and healthy fats has a major impact on gut health. Omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids in particular, such as those found in olive oil, avocados and almonds , support healthy intestinal flora. On the other hand, fats that promote inflammation, especially the omega-6 fatty acids found in many vegetable oils, can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria and promote inflammation and weight gain.

It is equally important to integrate probiotic and prebiotic foods into the diet. Probiotics are live microorganisms that promote gut health by aiding the digestive process. Probiotic foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, miso and fermented products such as pickles and apple cider vinegar. Prebiotics, mainly indigestible plant fibers, serve as food for the probiotic bacteria and support their function and digestion. Foods rich in prebiotics are chicory, Jerusalem artichokes, artichokes, parsnips and onions.

The choice of fats in the diet is also very important. Processed vegetable oils, which are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, should be avoided as they have pro-inflammatory properties. These fats are found in sunflower, soybean and rapeseed oil .

Build up intestinal flora Food

 

Which fats are good for healthy intestinal flora?

balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is essential for maintaining healthy gut flora and overall health. Anexcess of omega-6 fatty acids, often found in processed foods and industrial vegetable oils, can promote inflammatory processes in the body and increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and even depression .

To counteract these negative effects, it is advisable to reduce your intake of omega-6 fatty acids and favor healthy fats instead. These include coconut oil, avocados, butter from pasture-fed cows, omega-3-rich fish and high-quality olive oil. These fats not only support a balanced gut flora, but also have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the body.

Studies show that a diet rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, as opposed to a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids, promotes healthier gut flora, reduces inflammation and facilitates weight loss. Choosing the right fats can therefore not only minimize the risk of inflammation, but also curb the growth of harmful bacteria and support weight loss.


➤ A high intake of omega-6 fatty acids can even increase the risk of depression by promoting inflammation in the body.


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9 tips for building healthy intestinal flora

A healthy diet is important to keep the intestinal bacteria in balance and maintain the intestinal ecosystem. Here are nine effective ways to build up your gut flora:

1. prefer unprocessed food

Eating natural, unprocessed foods that are free from sugar and refined carbohydrates supports intestinal health. Preference should be given to foods with a high fiber content, such as legumes, whole grain products and fruit. 

2. choose plant-based foods 

The majority of the diet, ideally 75%, should consist of plant-based foods.

3. use healthy fats

"Good" fats, especially those containing omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as olive oil, help to reduce inflammation and promote gut health.

4. avoid "bad" fats

Inflammation-promoting fats, especially those rich in omega-6 fatty acids, should be avoided and replaced with high-quality olive oil and coconut oil.

5. sensible use of food supplements

Dietary supplements, especially omega-3, can promote gut health and reduce inflammation if they are not consumed in sufficient quantities through food.

6. incorporate probiotics

Probiotics support gut health by having an anti-inflammatory effect and promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria. A broad spectrum of bacterial strains is particularly beneficial.

7. use coconut products

Coconut oil and butter contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which have an anti-inflammatory effect and help to regulate weight.

8. consume plenty of fiber

A high-fiber diet with nuts, seeds and special dietary fibers such as glucomannan promotes the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria.

9. consume fermented foods: 

The consumption of fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh and miso supports the development of healthy intestinal flora due to its high probiotic content.

 

 


Sources (in English):

Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K., Belury, M. A., Porter, K., Beversdorf, D. Q., Lemeshow, S. & Glaser, R. (2007, April). Depressive symptoms, omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids, and inflammation in older adultsPsychosomatic Medicine, 69(3):217-24, doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e3180313a45

Cândido, F. G., Valente, F. X., Grześkowiak, Ł. M., Moreira, A. P. B., Rocha, D. M. U. P. & Alfenas, R. C. G. (2017, July). Impact of dietary fat on gut microbiota and low-grade systemic inflammation: mechanisms and clinical implications on obesityInternational Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 4:1-19, doi: 10.1080/09637486.2017.1343286

Langdon, A., Crook, N. & Dantas, G. (2016, April). The effects of antibiotics on the microbiome throughout development and alternative approaches for therapeutic modulation. Genome Medicine, 8(1):39, doi: 10.1186/s13073-016-0294-z

Costantini, L., Molinari, R., Farinon, B., Merendino, N. (2017, December). Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on the Gut Microbiota. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(12), doi, 10.3390/ijms18122645

Linares, D. M., Ross, P. & Stanton, C. (2016). Beneficial Microbes: The pharmacy in the gut. Bioengineered, 7(1):11-20, doi: 10.1080/21655979.2015.1126015.