Why is the gut important?

Your gut aids in the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients and excretion of waste. It is the largest immune organ in the body, covering 70% – 80% of the immune system.

It has a balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria that helps with digestion, nutrient absorption and overall health. This is called the gut flora.

Hippocrates (460 – 370 BC), Philosopher and the Father of Medicine, said that “All disease begins in the gut”.

The Gut Flora

Your gut flora, also called intestinal flora, gut microbiome or gut microbiota, is the ecosystem of bacteria and other microorganisms in your gut. These bacteria help in breaking down food and absorbing the nutrients that your body use for various bodily functions such as energy production, tissue building and repair, overall organ function, and immune system support.

About trillions of different bacteria live in your gut and it’s a combination of good bacteria or beneficial bacteria and bad bacteria. A healthy gut, also called a balanced gut flora, is about 85% good bacteria and 15% bad bacteria.

A healthy bacteria balance means that the
good bacteria overpowers the bad bacteria

A leaky gut happens when there is more bad bacteria in the gut, allowing substances produced by the bad bacteria to destruct gut barrier integrity. Like a leaky faucet, a leaky gut allows bad bacteria, toxins and pathogens to enter into the bloodstream.

Gut Bacteria Imbalance

Gut bacteria imbalance, also called dysbiosis, happens when you lose good bacteria in your gut. Some contributing factors can be your diet, lifestyle or medication. It’s beneficial to replenish the good bacteria to help avoid gut inflammation and other gut-related issues such as constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, bloating and gastric problems.

Factors that cause more bad bacteria in the gut:

The journey to a healthy gut.

There are ways to maintain a healthy gut or to bring back the balance of the gut flora. One way is through HEXBIO® Probiotic Granule.

Probiotics are good and beneficial gut bacteria.

Probiotics colonize the gut and support digestive system functions. There are diverse types and they are measured in CFUs (Colony Forming Units). Two of the most common genus of probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.