Weird “Timing Trick” RESTORES Gut Balance?

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted September 2, 2022

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Most people have no clue what a microbiome is.

But if you’re a regular reader of Living Well Daily, you likely don’t just know what a microbiome is. You also probably realize how vital it is to keep your own balanced for overall good health.

But if you’re new here (or in need of a refresher): a microbiome is a community of microorganisms that exist in a particular environment, including fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

In humans, the term is typically used to describe all the microorganisms living in one specific part of the body. And more often than not, it’s referring to the sum total of all of the gut bugs (mostly bacteria) that live in your gastrointestinal tract.

Your microbiome has a huge impact on the well-being of your gut, of course. But it also influences the rest of your health from head to toe.

You can help keep your microbiome healthy by ditching ultra-processed foods, avoiding too much sugar, and eating more naturally fermented foods like sauerkraut and yogurt.

But watching WHAT you eat isn’t the only way to boost the health of your gut bugs. It turns out there’s also a weird but powerful “timing trick” you can use to help modify and restore your gut microbiome.

I’ve explained some of the many benefits of intermittent fasting before.

Experts often refer to it as time-restricted eating or modified fasting. And it’s exactly what it sounds like.

When you practice intermittent fasting, you eat only during a specific window of time during the day. And the fewer hours you can eat, the better.

The most common form of time-restricted eating is to skip breakfast and only eat during the hours from noon to 6:00 PM. In other words, you’re simply reducing the amount of time in which you allow yourself to eat.

People practice intermittent fasting for various reasons, including weight loss, better blood sugar control, and even improved mental function and sleep. But it turns out those aren’t the only benefits of time-restricted eating.

A new animal study published in the journal Cell Reports revealed that intermittent fasting ALSO helps restore balance and good health to the gut microbiome.

The researchers put mice on a time-restricted diet, and the rodent’s microbiomes greatly improved. And that, in turn, can lead to BIG health benefits.

You see, when you restrict the time that you’re eating, you typically end up getting two benefits for the price of one:

• improved blood sugar
• automatic calorie restriction leading to weight loss

When that’s combined with the positive effects of a now well-balanced microbiome, the potential benefits skyrocket.

You gain better glucose, cholesterol, and fatty acid control. And the microbiome’s beneficial influence on blood sugar and weight also improves your metabolic health.

The best way to get started with intermittent fasting is to eat breakfast an hour later each day until you’re not eating until noon. Or, if you’re a big breakfast fan, you can do the opposite. Eat dinner an hour earlier each day until your window for eating is down to 6 to 8 hours.

P.S. Research suggests intermittent fasting can activate the immune system in a way that could help us tackle tumors. If someone you care about is battling cancer, this research may help.

Source:

“Diet and feeding pattern modulate diurnal dynamics of the ileal microbiome and transcriptome,” Cell Reports, Volume 40, Issue 1, 5 July 2022, 111008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111008

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 By Dr. Scott Olson, ND