Your digestive system plays an essential role in keeping your body healthy. It breaks down the food you eat and delivers the necessary nutrients needed for all your organs to function correctly.
Other systems in your body can only operate properly if your digestive tract is fully functional. A key player to digestive health is your stomach biome. It varies from one person to another and is primarily responsible for ensuring that your gastrointestinal tract runs without complications.
What is the Stomach Biome?
The stomach biome refers to the trillions of microorganisms found in the digestive system. It’s a collection of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and many other microscopic organisms. Although these microbes can also be found on other parts of your body, the most significant and the most studied ones are found in your gastrointestinal tract. There are at least 1,000 different species of bacteria living inside a human’s intestines and a healthy gut should have a great diversity of good bacteria.
The microbes inside your body play a vital role in your health. They help synthesize vitamins and amino acids, contribute to your immune system, and regulate your digestive tract. If the body does not have enough beneficial bacteria, it can lead to a range of complications.
What is a Stomach Biome Test?
A stomach biome test examines your gut microbiome and determines whether your digestive tract is healthy. It can help you assess which microorganisms live in your intestines and reveal how your gut microbiome affect your nutrition. It can also tell you the full profile of the bacteria found inside your body. Knowing the microbial ecosystem’s composition in your gut can help you personalize your diet to improve your metabolism and overall digestive health.
It is beneficial to get tested if you experience any chronic health problems. A test can tell you if your gut ecology is the cause of your condition. Even if you are currently experiencing no symptoms, an examination to determine your gut profile can provide a better picture of your overall health and guide you to better lifestyle choices. This way, you can prevent serious complications from happening in the future.
When Should You Get Tested?
You can get tested whether you’re experiencing any digestive problems, or you simply want to know about your gut biome. While you may associate digestive discomfort with your gut condition, other symptoms can also indicate a disproportion between good and bad bacteria in your intestinal tract. Here are some signs to consider:
Digestive Problems
The microbes found on your intestines can either improve or damage your digestive system. An increase in harmful intestinal bacteria or surplus of parasites and fungi may cause gas, stomach pains, bloating, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It’s best to determine the cause of your digestive problems early on so you can address them quickly.
Insomnia or Poor Quality of Sleep
Poor sleep can be associated with the quality of your stomach biomes. Your micro-ecology is involved in a variety of neurological processes. The flora balance in your intestines affects your hormones’ production, and its relation to your brain functions influence your response to sleep.
Anxiety or Mood Swings
Microbes can influence your dopamine and serotonin levels. The microbiomes in your body regulate the production of your hormones. Prolonged low levels of hormones can lead to mental health problems such as mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
Weight Problems
Gut dysbiosis, or a disproportionate amount of unhealthy versus healthy microbes in the body, can cause weight gain. The underperformance of gut bacteria results in fat production during digestion, instead of converting food into energy and nutrients needed by the body.
How to Keep Your Gut Healthy?
Creating a healthy gut biome is a continuous process that involves incorporating healthier decisions to nourish the body. Here are some ways you can improve the quality of your stomach biomes:
- Eat from all food groups: The easiest and most effective way to improve your gut health is by eating a wide variety of nutritious food. Proper nutrition will encourage good bacteria in your body to thrive and help feed the beneficial microbes inside your body.
- Take probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help improve digestive health and restore the gut by supplying healthy microbes to the body.
- Eat whole grains: Regular fiber intake can help regulate bowel movement and improve overall digestive health.
- Stay Hydrated: Water intake will improve the mucosal lining of the intestines and help retain good bacteria.
Take Away
Your stomach biome plays an essential role in your body. It not only helps control your digestion but also influence your metabolism, sleep patterns, and mental health.
A simple test can help you determine your microbiome’s composition and help you fine-tune the nutritional needs of your body. Always listen to your gut and live a healthy lifestyle to avoid any severe complications in the future.