How to protect your intestinal microbiota?

The intestinal microbiota, also called intestinal flora, plays an essential role in digestion, metabolism and the immune system . It is mainly located in the small intestine and the colon, and is considered an integral organ of the human body.

To stay healthy, it is therefore essential to take care of and preserve the balance of your intestinal microbiota.

What is the intestinal microbiota?

A microbiota refers to all the microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, etc.) that live in a well-defined environment like our body. The most studied is the intestinal microbiota.

The intestinal microbiota (or intestinal flora) brings together all the microorganisms that live in our gastrointestinal system.

 

What is the role of the intestinal microbiota?

The intestinal microbiota is a key player in health and plays an important role in ensuring the proper functioning of the body. In particular, it allows fibers to be fermented, vitamins to be synthesized and nutrients to be transported to the bloodstream.

The intestinal microbiota develops from birth, through contact with substances foreign to the body. During growth, the immune system learns to tolerate foods, identify harmless germs, and fight germs that can cause disease. Thus, an environment of varied microorganisms is formed in the intestines, in which they will work in collaboration with each other and with the body.

Concretely, the “good” bacteria fight the “bad” bacteria by their position as a protective “barrier” all along the digestive tract, their superiority in number, the mobilization of nutrient sources and the production of bactericidal substances.

Once the intestinal flora is perfectly constituted and has found its balance, its structure remains stable.

What are the different factors that disrupt the intestinal microbiota?

It can happen that the balance of microorganisms present within the intestinal microbiota is disrupted, due to certain factors of daily life such as an unsuitable diet, taking an antibiotic or even a period of stress.

We then speak of intestinal dysbiosis, which refers to an imbalance in the intestinal flora. It can result in a decrease in the number of good bacteria or, on the contrary, an increase in bad bacteria.

• A diet low in fiber, and rich in ultra-processed foods, can harm the richness, diversity and balance of bacteria in the intestinal flora.
• Antibiotic treatments prescribed to treat infections are intended to destroy the microbes responsible for the disease, but also the “good” bacteria of the intestinal microbiota. The latter can thus be disrupted, before reconstituting itself over several weeks after the end of treatment. However, prolonged or regularly repeated antibiotics can, in certain individuals, considerably unbalance the intestinal flora.
• Finally, stress can cause functional intestinal disorders, and imbalances in the intestinal microbiota can make people more vulnerable to stress.

How to protect your intestinal microbiota?

To overcome these inconveniences and effectively protect your intestinal microbiota, a few health reflexes should be adopted on a daily basis:

Consume foods rich in fiber regularly

Dietary fibers, sources of prebiotics, play an essential role in preserving the balance of the intestinal microbiota. They act like little sponges within the intestine. By filling with water, fiber increases the volume of stools and regulates intestinal function.

In addition, fiber favorably nourishes bacteria and thus allows them to secrete SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids). These (including butyrate) are essential in the prevention of intestinal dysbiosis, inflammation of the mucous membranes, hyperpermeability and immune imbalances.

The foods richest in fiber are certain vegetables (artichokes, asparagus and leeks), bananas, barley, rye, chicory root and even flax and chia seeds.

Take a course of probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that have a beneficial effect on the intestinal flora and the immune system. Their role is to favorably modulate the composition and strengthen the barrier effect of the intestinal flora. They thus provide bacteria beneficial to health.

Foods that are rich in it are yogurts, fermented milks and unpasteurized fermented cheeses.

They are also found in the form of food supplements. Certain strains of probiotics have a beneficial effect on irritable bowel symptoms in particular.

Délicure offers food supplements in the form of gummies entitled “Enhanced Immunity”. They are natural, vegan and 100% Made in France.

These gummies are enriched with vitamin C, trace elements (zinc, copper and manganese), goji berry, elderflower and probiotics. These active ingredients, in synergy, help preserve the intestinal miciobiota and strengthen the immune system .

With a delicious wild fruit flavor, simply take two “Enhanced Immunity” gummies at any time of the day, preferably outside of meals, because they contain five strains of lactic ferments.

Limit foods high in sugar

A diet rich in sugar is very bad for your health, it can have harmful consequences on the balance of the intestinal macrobiota and promote bacteria which have a pro-inflammatory action.

Sugar increases active fermentation populations and particularly fungi. It can proliferate flora that is aggressive to the intestines and reduce populations of good intestinal bacteria.

We must therefore limit the consumption of ultra-processed products and prepared meals which very often contain a large quantity of sugar.

Better resist and combat stress

Stress, especially when chronic, can become an enemy of health and disrupt the balance of the intestinal microbiota. It promotes inflammation in the intestines, as well as the growth and virulence of pathogenic bacteria.

To effectively combat the effects of stress, many anti-stress activities (such as yoga, meditation or breathing) and phytotherapy (alternative medicine from plants) prove to be very effective.

Délicure offers vegan, natural and 100% Made in France anti-stress gummies to combat stress. Their formula is composed of the amino acid GABA, vitamin B6 and relaxing plants (rhodiola, saffron and holy basil). This combination of active ingredients helps reduce the harmful effects of stress on the body.

Simply chew two gummies during a stressful situation to promote relaxation and protect the nervous system.

CBD is a molecule that also seems ideal for helping with stress management. Délicure offers a wide range of organic CBD oils as well as sugar-free CBD candies .

Délicure food supplements do not cause any side effects or addiction, and are not dangerous for your health. To guarantee their effectiveness, they must be consumed as part of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.