There is a myth that has been promoted for decades that bacteria are the source of most of our health problems. The suggested thought is that a bacteria free environment will be a healthy environment. The action step has been promotion of anti-bacteria wipes and hand gels, antibiotic medications, and sterile foods. However, we have not seen a great improvement in health among our communities with these action steps.
The truth is that there are more bacteria cells than human cells living within and on any human body. Our body is outnumbered by millions of bacteria cells that live in community with our body. Most of these bacteria help promote health and fight off the germs that want to cause trouble. I describe the importance of your bacteria community similar to riding a bus. When you get on the bus and see all your friends in the seats, you know this is going to be a great trip. If you get on the bus and see some rowdy thugs, you will not have a great trip. Your goal is to make sure all the bacteria riding with you are friends who want to support you.
There are many probiotic supplement products on the market today. My general recommendation is to look for 1) a product that contains ten to twelve different bacteria names on the ingredient list, 2) a product that is stored in the refrigerator, and 3) a product with at least 25 billion colony forming units (CFU) per capsule. This capsule should be taken in the evening before bed to allow the bacteria to move through the intestines without a rush of food around.
Probiotic rich foods are an excellent way to regularly support quality bacteria friends for your daily trip. Some of these foods include: sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, kombucha, yogurt, and cheese. Most any vegetable can be fermented in a simple process in the kitchen. The fermentation process will produce a soured vegetable product similar to pickling but without the vinegar. The vegetable and liquid brine will be rich with bacteria that will stimulate healthy digestion, improved energy, mental clarity, and healthy skin.
A 2021 article in the Stanford Medicine News described a recent 10-week study comparing a high fiber diet with a fermented food diet. At the conclusion of the study, those individuals in the fermented food group had lowered inflammation to nineteen different measures. The participants in the high fiber diet did not see a decrease in any of the nineteen measures. By regularly consuming bacteria rich foods, the “friends on the bus” kept the problems away.
Sources you can access to learn more about fermentation and healthy fermented foods include:
www.cuttingedgecultures.com - an online resource providing starter cultures and education, www.culturedfoodlife.com - a website with articles, videos, recipes, and starter cultures for sale. Sandor Katz has a well-known book called, “Wild Fermentation,” and Dr. William Davis authored, “Super Gut.” These sources will start you towards a healthier lifestyle based on quality fermented foods.
Health is the result of healthy choices. A supportive community is needed to help make these healthy choices become a lifestyle. I have written in previous articles about healthy weight and continue to provide resources to support healthy lifestyle choices that can help you reach your health goals. Contact me to discuss your health goals for the coming year. Nutrition is designed for healing. I can help you reach greater health freedom in 2026. Contact me at nutritionproportion@gmail.com, or check out my website at www.nutritionproportion.net
