Hippocrates wrote over 2,000 years ago that “ALL DISEASES BEGIN IN THE GUT.’
The GUT is responsible for normal gastrointestinal function: it contains more than 80% of our immune system; it provides protection from infection; regulates metabolism; makes vitamins our bodies need and utilize, such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, A & K.
The gut flora consists of over 400 different micro-organisms, which are divided into 3 groups. The most important and numerous groups are the essential (good) bacteria. Unfortunately, several features of our modern lifestyle contribute to an unhealthy gut flora, such as:
Antibiotics and other medications like birth control and NSAIDs
Diets high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol and processed foods
Diets low in fiber
Dietary toxins like wheat and industrial seed oils that cause leaky gut
Chronic stress
Chronic infections
These cause the ‘good’ bacteria to become damaged allowing the ‘opportunistic’ (bad) bacteria to take control. Scientific research has proven that an unhealthy gut can contribute to a wide range of illnesses including autoimmune diseases such as Coeliac, Rheumatoid arthritis: or diabetes, obesity, depression, chronic fatigue and depression.