What is intestinal flora?
How is intestinal flora linked to weight gain?
What can I do to improve my health in this area and in turn possibly shed some weight?
“Good VS. Bad Bacteria”
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly side effects…
- Intestinal Flora: Think Activia & Jamie Lee Curtis….The bacteria in your “gut”. Microorganisms that assist in many key functions within your body; assist in the metabolism of food (breakdown of food), immune system functions, producing vitamins, preventing growth of harmful pathogens, and producing hormones that affect the way humans store fat. Some may be capable of causing disease or increasing risk of cancer. Etc., etc., etc…
- Good V. Bad Bacteria
- “Beneficial bacteria in your intestines make up 80% of your immune system!”
- “Good Bacteria’s key role is the breakdown/metabolizing of food. The more thoroughly your food is broken down that’s usable by your body, the less excess wastes, toxins, and fat you’ll accumulate.
- Foods to Avoid: Typical junk foods, refined carbs, soda, foods that are nutrient deficient, “are a feast for the harmful bacteria in your gut.”
- Without Good Bacteria: “Your body doesn’t metabolize foods correctly, retains more calories, and becomes more toxic.”
- You may ask…I have been watching what I eat, counting calories, so why am I not losing weight!!!???
- It’s probably your GUT! If your body has high levels of bad bacteria, you probably are not going to be able to drop those pounds…sorry!
- How can I fix this? Avoid the foods I mentioned above and take a high quality probiotic! (With your daily multivitamin and mineral)
- Taking a probiotic supplement can also help alleviate gas, constipation, bloating, allergies, and even helps asthma sufferers.
- Products listed below can aid in destroying your good bacteria (Avoid These):
Foods with traces of fertilizers or pesticides found in/on them (Organic=no fertilizers/pesticides)
Food injected with Hormones or antibiotics (meats, eggs, dairy…again Organic=no hormones/antibiotics)
Medications/Antibiotics
Alcohol
Foods containing high fructose corn syrup (SODA, a lot of products that have this…and I mean A LOT!)
Foods containing additives (unnatural sources, if there is a lot of ingredients on the list that sound scientific it is probably good to stay away from it)
Foods containing unnatural preservatives
Foods containing nitrates (hot dogs, bacon, deli meats)
Please, start becoming conscious of what you eat. Foods that are natural, organic and healthy for you and the environment are what you should try to fill your refrigerator and kitchen pantry with, remember you are what you eat. So, I guess I’m a giant cup of organic spinach!
RECIPES:
“Sweet Peach Raw Smoothie with a Kick”: (serves 1)
- Frozen Organic Peaches (1 cup)
- Frozen Organic Mango, Strawberries OR Blueberries (1/2 cup)
- ½ Giant Organic Banana
- ¼ cup of almonds or cashews
- 2 splashes of almondmilk
- 3 pinches of Cinnamon
- Fresh mint leaves
Put all ingredients into your blender, blend until pureed well. Enjoy!!
It can be really useful to get help with designing an exercise program to assist you in achieving your fitness goals. Hiring a fitness trainer is a great way to get on the right track. As an expert I understand how to help you modify your exercise routine and diet to suit your goals.
Visit my website, Raw Fitness, to see more about Personal Training. I do ‘Skype’ too! 😉
Health & Happiness,
Nat
There is an endless amount of information I have about this topic, I will try to fit in the most important facts. Email me if you have questions.
Let me just start by saying, I am not a nutritionist or a doctor. What I write in my weekly bulletins is simply information that I have gathered over the years from reading and researching several health related topics from credible resources as well as personal experiences. I urge you to consult with a physician before changing your diet. The purpose of my weekly bulletin is to share my experiences and fitness knowledge with everyone I possibly can to help others in their journey to improve their state of well-being.
Warrior Girl Fitness 