Immunity and gut health have an important link, when our gut health is thriving so is our immunity, but when dysbiosis (disruption of the microbiome) occurs it throws our immunity out and may lead unwanted sickness. A healthy gut microbiome includes a wide variety of different beneficial bacteria and plays a vital role in keeping our immune system nourished. Nutrition is important in keeping our gut health nourished and healthy, our diet can change the gut environment and microbial species in it quickly (1). When we take that bite of food, we are also feeding the millions of microbes that are residing in our guts, this process is known as fermentation. An unhealthy diet (i.e., the westernised diet) modulates the gut and is associated with intestinal inflammation and changes of the gut microbiome (i.e., species of bacteria) that is potentially more vulnerable to pathogenic infection (e.g., leaky gut syndrome) (2).
Our CleanFit Protein Shakes and Bars stimulates gut health by providing plant-based protein with a side of gut loving bacteria, giving your microbiome a big hug. CleanFit Protein is looking out for your gut with digestive enzymes and probiotics, the protein contains a unique blend of 5 digestive enzymes designed to assist with digestion and absorption of nutrients, whereas the probiotic (Saccharomyces Boulardii) is a premium strand of healthy bacteria to help maintain the stability and diversity of the microbiome. When it comes to choosing food to support your gut health CleanFit Protein is one of them, not only are the digestive enzymes and probiotics beneficial for gut health but so is protein, as it works on keeping the lining of your gut intact and reducing inflammation. There are many options, but the most gut nourishing foods fall under three banners, Prebiotic Foods, Probiotic Foods and Postbiotic Foods.
Prebiotic (3): a type of fibre that asses through the gut largely unabsorbed, it then ‘feeds’ the gut bacteria and helps the microbiome thrive. These foods include underripe bananas, legumes, onion, garlic, leek, barley, cashews, grapefruit, soybeans, and taro.
Probiotic (4): a live microorganism that when eaten in adequate amounts benefit our microbiome hugely, these bacteria’s feed on prebiotic foods, in other words they populate when we feed them these foods.
Postbiotic (5): a new term to the health world, which describes the products/metabolites of bacterial fermentation that are beneficial to gut health, i.e., short chain fatty acid production (butyrate etc.) due to the prebiotic fibre fermentation process.
When our microbiome is feed well with gut loving foods our immunity health can flourish and thrive, riding us well through winter. Nutrition is the forefront of longevity, when we have colourful and nourishing diets we mentality and physically benefit.
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