How to protect your intestinal microbiota?

The gut microbiota, also known as gut flora, plays an essential role in digestion, metabolism, and the immune system . It is primarily located in the small intestine and colon, and is considered an organ in its own right within the human body.

To maintain good health, it is therefore essential to take care of and preserve the balance of one's gut microbiota.

What is the gut microbiota?

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

The gut microbiota (or gut flora) includes all the microorganisms that live in our gastrointestinal system.

 

What is the role of the gut microbiota?

The gut microbiota is a key player in health and plays an important role in ensuring the proper functioning of the body. It notably allows for the fermentation of fiber, the synthesis of vitamins, and the transport of nutrients into the bloodstream.

The gut 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 those that can cause disease. Thus, a diverse environment of microorganisms forms in the intestines, where they work collaboratively with each other and with the body.

In concrete terms, "good" bacteria fight "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, thus promoting good microbiota health and good digestion.

Once the intestinal flora is fully established and has found its balance, its structure remains stable.

What are the different factors that disrupt the gut 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 antibiotics or a period of stress.

This is referred to as intestinal dysbiosis, which describes an imbalance in the gut flora. It can manifest as a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria or, conversely, an increase in harmful bacteria.

• A diet low in fiber and high in ultra-processed foods can harm the richness, diversity, and balance of gut bacteria.
• Antibiotic treatments prescribed to treat infections are designed to destroy not only the microbes responsible for the illness, but also the "good" bacteria of the gut microbiota. This can disrupt the latter, which then regenerates over several weeks after the end of treatment. However, prolonged or repeated use of antibiotics can, in some individuals, significantly disrupt the gut flora.
• Finally, stress can cause functional bowel disorders, and imbalances in the gut microbiota can make one more vulnerable to stress.

How to protect your gut microbiota?

To overcome these inconveniences and effectively protect your gut microbiota, a few healthy habits should be adopted daily:

Consume fiber-rich foods regularly

Dietary fiber, a source of prebiotics, plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiota. It acts like tiny sponges in the intestines. By absorbing water, fiber increases stool volume and helps regulate bowel function.

Furthermore, fiber provides beneficial nutrients for bacteria, enabling them to secrete SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids). These (including butyrate) are essential in preventing intestinal dysbiosis, mucosal inflammation, increased intestinal permeability, and immune imbalances.

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

Take a course of probiotics

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

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

They are also available in the form of dietary supplements. Certain strains of probiotics, in particular, have a beneficial effect on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

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 that have a pro-inflammatory effect.

Sugar increases the active populations of fermenting bacteria, particularly fungi. It can promote the growth of harmful gut flora and reduce the populations of beneficial gut bacteria.

Therefore, we need to limit the consumption of ultra-processed products and prepared meals, which very often contain a large amount of sugar.

Enjoy some relaxing saffron-flavored gummies.

Safran Délicure gummies, formulated with the patented Safr'Inside™ extract , have a beneficial effect on the gut microbiota by helping to restore a microbial balance conducive to overall well-being. In addition to its recognized effects on stress and mood, Safr'Inside™ promotes the restoration of a healthy gut flora and stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria, including Akkermansia, thanks to its prebiotic effect. This modulation of the microbiota helps strengthen the gut-brain axis, thus improving the body's resistance to stress and supporting better emotional regulation. Safran Délicure gummies therefore offer a natural and holistic approach to simultaneously address emotional balance and digestive health .

Better resist and combat stress

Stress, especially when chronic, can become an enemy of health and disrupt the balance of the gut 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 exercises) and herbal medicine (gentle medicine using plants) prove to be very effective.

Délicure offers sugar-free saffron gummies that are vegan, natural, and 100% Made in France, perfect for combating stress. Their formula contains a patented saffron extract and vitamin B6.

Simply chewing two gummies during a stressful situation can 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 broad-spectrum CBD oils as well as sugar-free cannabidiol treats .

Délicure's dietary supplements have no side effects, are not addictive, and are not harmful to health. To guarantee their effectiveness, they must be consumed as part of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle .