The Gut Problem That Can DESTROY Your Health
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 21, 2017
Q: I feel like all I hear about these days is probiotics. Nobody was talking about them 15 or 20 years ago, and now we’re supposed to be taking them every day. I’m sure they’re important, but how much of this is hype? And how much is real?
— Ted C.
Dr. Scott: You’re right that we’re talking about probiotics and gut health more than ever.
But that’s for a very good reason – we know a lot more about their importance now than we did 20 years ago.
You see, the collection of critters you have living in your gut is immense and almost beyond understanding.
Scientists who study gut bacteria think that you have about 100 trillion bacteria and fungi and 1 quadrillion viruses.
The whole collection of bacteria, viruses, and fungi is called the microbiome, and we now know that it’s a huge deal to your health.
Studies show that the microbiome impacts:
Studies show that the microbiome impacts:
- Obesity: Whether you gain or lose weight may have a lot to do with what kind of bacteria you carry in your digestive tract.
- Immune Response: If you want a strong immune system, make sure your microbiome is healthy.
- Blood Sugar: How well you control blood sugar depends on what you are eating and the health of your microbiome.
- Mood: A few years ago, we would have never guessed that the microbiome contributes to anxiety and depression. Now, the most important thing you can do if you have depression is improve your digestive tract.
- Chron’s, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Alzheimer’s, and many more diseases can be improved by focusing on microbiome health. Interestingly, even autistic children have different microbiome compared to healthy children.
So, how to you get to a healthy microbiome?
- Eat plenty of fermented foods, including sauerkraut, pickles, yogurt, and for the adventurous: miso, natto, and kimchi
- Take a good probiotic: I personally like to rotate probiotics to get a wide variety of species.
- Eat plenty of fiber prebiotics: Probiotics need food and fiber is one of the best ways to feed them. Eat plenty of fresh raw vegetables to get your fiber.
- Sleep well, keep stress low, and exercise.
Have a question you’d like to send me? Just email it to askdrscott@livingwelldaily.com
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...
Gut Hack Helps You Avoid the Flu
Flu season hasn’t ramped up… yet. According to the CDC’s FluView, we’re still hovering at around one percent of the population testing positive for influenza. That’s fantastic news… but it doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. In fact, NOW is the time to prepare, because this is the calm before this season’s storm. As the...
Ditch “Calendar Age” to Live Longer and BETTER
“Age is just a number.” If we’ve heard that phrase once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. So, it’s easy to dismiss the thought. But the truth is, how old you feel is more critical than the number of candles on your birthday cake. Let me explain… Imagine the following scenario… Two 65-year-olds walk into...
5 Reasons to Eat MORE Pumpkin This Fall
When you think of fall, what comes to mind? Colorful leaves? Cozy sweaters? How about pumpkins? Sure, you probably carved one for Halloween, and you may bake a couple cans of it into a pie for Thanksgiving. But what if I told you that this humble squash could ALSO be your secret weapon for staying...
Mailbag: Break Free from Cholesterol Lowering Statins
“What’s my alternative to a statin drug for cholesterol control? I’ve been suggested to take Red Yeast Rice a natural cholesterol control. Best way to keep my arteries clear of plaque?” – Skipping Statins Hi Skipping, I don’t need to tell you how vital cardiovascular health is. However, the medical establishment insists that the only path...