While our gut microbiome is fascinating, it’s very complex. At ZOE, we aim to translate our latest scientific findings into easy-to-understand insights.
Although it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to completely remove the "bad" bacteria from your gut, the good news is your microbiome is receptive to diet and lifestyle changes. This means we can work towards reducing them, although some may be more responsive than others.
This is because our gut microbiome is a competitive environment, so the more we support the “good” bacteria, the less our “bad” bacteria can thrive.
Balance is key
Instead of focusing on how to get rid of the “bad” bugs, aim to feed the “good” ones the ‘right’ type of foods to improve your overall balance of “good” to “bad” bacteria. It’s this ratio that’s most important for a healthy gut microbiome.
Tips for boosting “good” gut bacteria:
Some things you can try to support your “good” bacteria include:
1. Adding new Gut Boosters to your plate
2. Eating a wide variety of colourful plants
3. Trying different fermented foods
4. Limiting your Gut Suppressors and ultra-processed foods
5. Considering lifestyle factors: Sleep, stress and activity levels can all impact your gut microbiome. Diet is only one piece of the puzzle!
You can find actionable tips for how to do this in this article.