Building Gut Flora

[clearly]

Hi James,

what protocol would you recommend to build healthy bowel flora?

Herbs? Propiotics?


Thx!


Bernd

[Gen129]

http://mountainmistbotanicals.com/formulas/flora.htm

[anost]

Add "prebiotics" to build gut flora. The flora eat soluble fiber that our body can't digest. Examples of prebiotics are, oat bran, rice bran, pectin, FOS, seaweeds, and vegetable gums (guar gum, xanthan gum).

[Charisgal]

Homemade fermented/cultured foods are great too and very easy to make!

[James]

(10-08-2013 12:41 PM)clearly Wrote:  Hi James,

what protocol would you recommend to build healthy bowel flora?

Herbs? Propiotics?


Thx!


Bernd

Prebiotics are the most important, although probiotic sources are beneficial in jump starting the regrowth.

Prebiotics are fibers that feed all the strains of flora in the gut. Some of my favorites include oat bran, rice bran, FOS, inulin, and vegetable fibers. Yucca root is also rich in fiber and the saponins in the herb help keep moisture in the intestines for better flora growth and the saponins reduce intestinal inflammation and gas.

For probiotics I prefer kefirs or freshly cultured vegetables since I know the cultures are live and active. Most "live culture" yogurts are not really live. And some probiotic supplements are also questionable since there is no way to tell how long they were stored and under what conditions they were stored and shipped.

[James]

(10-08-2013 07:56 PM)Gen129 Wrote:  http://mountainmistbotanicals.com/formulas/flora.htm

That formula was discontinued a few years ago, but I am hoping to reintroduce the formula sometime in the near future.

[James]

(10-13-2013 01:37 PM)anost Wrote:  Add "prebiotics" to build gut flora. The flora eat soluble fiber that our body can't digest. Examples of prebiotics are, oat bran, rice bran, pectin, FOS, seaweeds, and vegetable gums (guar gum, xanthan gum).

Yes, prebiotics are fiber sources fermented and digested by the flora for a food source. In the process beneficial acids are formed that help protect us from pathogens, regulate peristalsis and increase nutrient absorption.

[brianwhiteinsonoma@gmail.com]

Jerusalem Artichokes, sometimes called Sunchokes are often grown by home gardeners. They multiply like crazy, you dig up the tubers and eat them. They are juicy and crunchy not terribly tasty but if memory serves me right they have a carbohydrate we can't digest but our digestive flora thrive off of. A naturopath I saw years ago told me this. Look for them at your farmers markets. I good way to keep your gut happy if you want to make a meal of it. I like to chop them up in my salad for crunch!