VLCC Institute Microbiota or Gut Flora

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VLCC Institute Microbiota or Gut Flora

• The gut microbiota used to be called the
  microflora of the gut.
• Human gastrointestinal microbiota, also known
  as gut flora or gut microbiota, are the
  microorganisms (generally bacteria and archaea),
  that live in the digestive tracts of humans.
• Our gut microbiota contains tens of trillions of
  microorganisms, including at least 1000 different
  species of known bacteria with more than 3
  million genes (150 times more than human genes).
•  Microbiota can, in total, weigh up to 2 kg. One
  third of our gut microbiota is common to most
  people, while two thirds are specific to each one
  of us. In other words, the microbiota in our
  intestine is like an individual identity card.
• As its name states, gut microbiota is harboured
  in the intestine, one of the main areas in our
  bodies that comes into contact with the external
  environment (other examples are the skin and the
  lungs).

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• Some of the functions are
• The gut microbiota of each individual is unique.
  It can heavily contribute to how a person fights
  disease, digests food, and even their mood and
  psychological processes.
• It helps the body to digest certain foods that
  the stomach and small intestine have not been
  able to digest.
• It helps with the production of some vitamins (B
  and K).
• It helps us combat aggressions from other
  microorganisms, maintaining the wholeness of the
  intestinal mucosa.
• It plays an important role in the immune system,
  performing a barrier effect.
• A healthy and balanced gut microbiota is key to
  ensuring proper digestive functioning.
• Gut bacteria help us break down complex molecules
  in meats and vegetables. Without the aid of gut
  bacteria, plant cellulose is indigestible.

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• The microbiota can affect the brain, which is
  also involved in digestion. Some have even called
  the gut microbiota a second brain.
• It is also helpful in gut conditions, including
  inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such
  as Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, as
  well as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
• The microbiota also plays an important role in
  resisting intestinal overgrowth of externally
  introduced populations that would otherwise cause
  disease the good bacteria compete with the
  bad, with some even releasing anti-inflammatory
  compounds.
• Here are some tips to get your gut going
• Increase your fibre intake
• Eat as many types of fruit and veg as possible,
  and try to eat seasonally
• Pick high-fibre vegetables
• Choose food and drinks with high levels of
  polyphenols
• Avoid snacking
• Eat plenty of fermented foods containing live
  microbe
• Include foods rich in probiotics and prebiotics

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