When the intestinal barrier becomes inflamed, bacterial components can move from the gut into the bloodstream. Your immune system recognizes these and launches a systemic immune response. Indeed, studies have found a strong association between this process and joint pathologies like rheumatoid arthritis.
Gut microbes regulate the availability of nutrients important for bone health like calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, vitamin K2, and magnesium. Disruption of the microbiota can significantly alter nutrient absorption & has been shown to increase the number of calories absorbed from food so making people fat. Yet it can also result in inflammation of the gut epithelium, where the nutrient transporters sit that allow for the absorption of vitamins and minerals. This paradoxically results in individuals that are both overweight and malnourished. In addition to influencing absorption and metabolism, microbes themselves also synthesize some of our vitamins including many B vitamins and vitamin K2.
How can we help our microbiome become healthier?
1. Eat fermented foods if you can tolerate them or use probiotics. Adult male mice treated with Lactobacilli for just one month showed increased femoral bone density, and a reduction in circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines.
2. Increase your fiber intake, it provides food for beneficial bacteria. Prebiotic fiber has been shown to have a beneficial role in mineral metabolism, enhancing calcium absorption in both mice and humans, which translates to increased bone density.
3. Use bone broth which helps support a healthy gut lining and a healthy microbial community. Homemade broth also provides many vitamins and minerals for building bone, as well as collagen and glucosamine for healthy joints and cartilage.
4. Avoid foods that destroy healthy gut microbes like preservatives on mince, seafood or packaged foods & in wine,artificial sweeteners, soft drinks, too much sugar, artificial colors and flavors.
If you want help improving your microbiome call Sunshine Coast Nutritionist and Kinesiologist Karen Emans on 0408748532
Gut microbes regulate the availability of nutrients important for bone health like calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, vitamin K2, and magnesium. Disruption of the microbiota can significantly alter nutrient absorption & has been shown to increase the number of calories absorbed from food so making people fat. Yet it can also result in inflammation of the gut epithelium, where the nutrient transporters sit that allow for the absorption of vitamins and minerals. This paradoxically results in individuals that are both overweight and malnourished. In addition to influencing absorption and metabolism, microbes themselves also synthesize some of our vitamins including many B vitamins and vitamin K2.
How can we help our microbiome become healthier?
1. Eat fermented foods if you can tolerate them or use probiotics. Adult male mice treated with Lactobacilli for just one month showed increased femoral bone density, and a reduction in circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines.
2. Increase your fiber intake, it provides food for beneficial bacteria. Prebiotic fiber has been shown to have a beneficial role in mineral metabolism, enhancing calcium absorption in both mice and humans, which translates to increased bone density.
3. Use bone broth which helps support a healthy gut lining and a healthy microbial community. Homemade broth also provides many vitamins and minerals for building bone, as well as collagen and glucosamine for healthy joints and cartilage.
4. Avoid foods that destroy healthy gut microbes like preservatives on mince, seafood or packaged foods & in wine,artificial sweeteners, soft drinks, too much sugar, artificial colors and flavors.
If you want help improving your microbiome call Sunshine Coast Nutritionist and Kinesiologist Karen Emans on 0408748532