Understanding the importance of healthy intestinal flora

More and more people are suffering from intestinal problems these days. Your gut flora has a much greater influence on your (physical and mental) health than you might imagine. For example, the gut bacteria living in you control your immune system, enable your body to break down and utilize food and even have an influence on your emotions. If we were a tree, the gut would be our root. And we all know what happens to the tree when the root is sick.

There are around 500 types of bacteria in the human digestive system. In terms of quantity, this amounts to around 2 kg. In fact, we have more gut bacteria than body cells. Incidentally, the word "bacteria" triggers a slight shudder in many people. Many people immediately think of something unhygienic or harmful. But when we think of the fact that yoghurt or sauerkraut is made with the help of bacteria, we realize that bacteria can obviously also be beneficial.

In a healthy gut, around 85% of the total intestinal flora should consist of beneficial bacteria, while a maximum of 15% of the bacteria should be "harmful". We actually need the harmful ones so that the "good ones" can stay fit and train our immune system. As around 80% of our immune system is located in the gut, this ratio of bacteria plays a major role in our immune system.

When the gut is sick: symptoms

If you have already read several of our articles, you will know by now that the gut and microbiome are among our most important topics. It happens to us frequently that acquaintances tell us about health complaints and ask for our opinion. They tell us about symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, headaches, etc. In our more than 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, we have often found that many complaints that at first glance seem to have nothing to do with the gut are actually caused by the gut. And this is exactly what most people are not aware of. That's why we've put together an overview of symptoms or signs of intestinal problems.

Tiredness: Chronic or after eating

Food should actually give you energy, not rob you of it. It is said that tiredness is the language of the liver, which is our detoxification organ. But the immense work of the intestines when they are overloaded or have to fight foreign substances and inflammation can also be reflected in tiredness.

If you eat too much, eat too quickly or flood the intestinal cells with sugar, you will inevitably experience an energy slump. This is because the intestinal cells use up a large proportion of the energy (ATP) available to your body. Even if you eat things that your body cannot tolerate at the moment, this leads to fatigue.

Skin problems of all kinds

The skin is a reflection of the Intestines. The skin is one of our detoxification organs. Toxins can also find their way out of the body via the skin. Inflammation in the gut can also migrate in such a way that it becomes noticeable in the skin.

Our skin is also a defense system against external influences (whether physical, chemical or microbial). It has been found that stress and an inflamed intestinal mucosa can impair the skin's barrier function. There is also good evidence that the condition of the gut flora affects the skin. Acne, rosacea, neurodermatitis, psoriasis orsimply itchy rashes can therefore all be a sign of a disturbed microbiome or an inflamed intestinal mucosa.

Headaches, migraines & mood swings

A permeable gut can lead to inflammatory reactions in the brain. And this inflammation can in turn cause a foggy feeling in the brain. Alzheimer's is also associated with the gut.

In this context, the term gut-brain axis also reflects the fact that gut problems can also affect the psyche, which means that we need to include the gut in the treatment of anxiety disorders or depression.

Incidentally, if the brain fog feels more like dizziness, it may also be due to histamine intolerance, which is also related to the gut.

Fungal diseases

If you know that fungi feel particularly at home in an alkaline, moist environment and that our mucous membranes are all connected, then this also explains what vaginal fungus, for example, has to do with the gut.

Our customers' stool analyses often reveal that they have an overly alkaline gut. This allows fungi to multiply and migrate to other regions of the body. And if your first reaction was: alkaline is good, then we would like to emphasize once again: Yes, the acid-alkaline balance should be balanced. However, we need an acidic environment in the gut (just like in the stomach) so that food can be broken down properly.

Allergies such as hay fever, asthma and animal hair allergies

Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system. 80% of the immune system is located in the gut. So if you want to support your immune system, you need to take care of your gut.

A permeable gut (leaky gut) causes substances to enter the bloodstream that should not be there and are then fought by the immune system. This means that harmless foods, pollen or hair can also be combated. As all mucous membranes are connected and communicate with each other, an inflamed intestinal mucosa can also trigger symptoms in the upper respiratory tract. For example, increased mucus production, runny nose or swelling that leads to shortness of breath.

Sleep disorders

Among other things, your gut produces hormones and neurotransmitters. 90% of the happiness hormone serotonin is produced in the gut. And it is the precursor of melatonin, our sleep hormone. This explains why the gut also influences our sleep. Regardless of whether you can't fall asleep or wake up frequently during the night. Of course, there are many other things that can negatively affect sleep, such as stress, environmental toxins, bad habits, poor diet and so on. But there is absolutely no harm in taking a look at your gut in connection with sleep disorders.

Autoimmune diseases

Science assumes that a leaky gut is present in every autoimmune disease. If you've read this far, then you'll already know the connection between the immune system and the gut.

So, regardless of whether your autoimmune disease manifests itself with problems in the skin, gut, nerves or thyroid, it's definitely worth including the gut and diet in your treatment alongside conventional therapy.

You can use these symptoms to quickly find out how well your gut is doing. However, there are also a large number of people - around 30% - who have bowel problems without any digestive symptoms. In other words, they can go to the loo normally, have no bloating or diarrhea and yet their intestinal flora is not in order.

For all those who prefer listening to reading, I am happy to recommend my popular Darmglück podcast. With lots of exciting health topics, tips and tricks for a healthy lifestyle in everyday life and a balanced diet. Listen now to episode 5 10 signs that something is wrong with your gut:

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Possible causes of intestinal complaints

An intestinal infection is one of the first things that many people think of when they have intestinal problems. And it's true: Spoiled food or unclean drinking water contain pathogens that damage the intestinal mucosa.

But the real cause of most intestinal problems is the modern lifestyle that is now considered normal.

Mental and physical stress, malnutrition with industrially produced foods, too much sugar and alcohol, exposure to environmental toxins, smoking, lack of exercise and regular medication are all key factors that can negatively affect your gut health.

The irritable bowel syndrome that is so prevalent today, accompanied by abdominal cramps and pain, is just one sign of how impaired gut health is in more and more people. Many suffer from food intolerances such as lactose or gluten, which can also be attributed to a disturbed intestinal environment.

However, all of the above-mentioned Symptoms that at first glance do not appear to have anything to do with the gut (skin problems, allergies etc. etc.) are the result of the ever-increasing intestinal problems in today's modern, western society.

What to do if you suffer from intestinal problems?

Have you found yourself experiencing one or other of these symptoms and want to get your bowel problems under control? Apart from a good, gut-friendly diet, which is necessary anyway to relieve the digestive system, we can give you some more tips:

Carry out a microbiome analysis

The microbiome analysis provides you with information about the bacterial diversity in your gut, the pH value in your gut, whether there are problems such as fungi or unfavorable bacteria, whether your intestinal mucosa is inflamed or whether there are signs of a leaky gut.

Having your gut flora analyzed is THE method of choice for us to determine which measures will help you most quickly to tackle your intestinal problems properly.

Detox or build-up cure for your gut

As you have already read above, there are many different consequences when the complex digestive system is disrupted. That's why you support your microbiome by supplementing good, helpful bacteria and also feeding the anti-inflammatory bacteria, thus ensuring that they can multiply.

With our DARM DETOX product bundle for intestinal detoxification, you get all the necessary products at an attractive special price.

If you suffer from chronic problems, such as hay fever, we recommend the Leaky Gut Bundle as a 6-month cure. The products it contains help to strengthen your immune system, build up your intestinal mucosa and regulate your intestinal flora.

A lasting positive influence on your gut health

If your gut is weakened and intestinal problems occur - whether due to an unhealthy diet, illness, medication or stress, for example - harmful microorganisms take over in your gut and crowd out the beneficial intestinal bacteria. This means that the intestinal environment becomes unbalanced. Your resistance drops and pathogens have an easy time of it.

This may not sound so dramatic at first. But the problem is that such a condition does not correct itself. Instead, it requires a lifestyle change and, ideally, a bowel treatment to get the environment back in order. If you don't do this, the situation of your immune system can deteriorate continuously over the years and the likelihood increases that chronic complaints such as constant tiredness, constipation and bloating, food intolerances, hay fever, asthma, skin problems or immune deficiencies.

Julia' s Darmglück podcast regularly provides you with everything you need to know and new insights into gut health. For all those who want to positively influence their health in the long term. The podcast helps you to find hidden causes for your limitations such as allergies, skin problems, fatigue and digestive problems and gives you tips on how to remedy them.