Hello! Today, I would like to talk about gut microbiota, which are microorganisms that have a positive impact on our bodies.

Did you know that the composition of microorganisms in our body is as important as our genes?

In particular, most of these microorganisms reside in the gut (mainly the small and large intestines), playing a significant role in our health, immunity, and infection prevention.

When we think of healthy foods, we often consider breast milk, organic products, preservative-free, antibiotic-free, fermented foods, fresh produce, slow food, anti-inflammatory foods, vegetarian options, and raw foods. One reason these foods or dietary habits are directly beneficial to our bodies is that they positively change the composition of our gut microbiota, ultimately helping to increase beneficial bacteria.

Having more beneficial bacteria in our bodies can lead to advantages such as improved immunity, reduced risk of infections, and enhanced digestive and metabolic functions. In fact, humans can survive on just water, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and fiber, but the world is filled with bacteria, and our bodies are also a habitat for them, so we cannot ignore bacteria.

However, this beneficial bacterial environment can be easily disrupted not only by poor dietary habits but also by the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria indiscriminately, whether they are beneficial or harmful. A common example is antibiotic-associated colitis, where the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can lead to a significant loss of gut microbiota, allowing harmful bacteria like C. difficile to take over and cause problems.

In North America, to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria caused by the overuse of antibiotics, a recommendation has been made to regularly consume probiotics instead of developing new antibiotics. As a result, more than a quarter of Canadians reportedly take probiotics daily, showing a remarkable interest in them.

Ultimately, the key is that what we eat and how we live daily directly affects the balance of our gut microbiota. Choose healthy foods, reduce overly spicy or salty foods, and manage stress to maintain a healthy gut environment. This will not only help beneficial bacteria thrive but also lead to a significantly better overall health state.

Today, I briefly discussed gut microbiota, especially beneficial gut bacteria. How about paying more attention to gut health and gradually changing small habits in your daily life? Wishing you all a healthy daily life!