A diverse and balanced gut flora is vital to ensuring optimal health- both in terms of disease prevention and treatment. Many of us are aware that things like antibiotics, pesticides and poor nutrition can have harmful effects on this delicate system.
But now, we are also beginning to see new research that points a finger at dietary emulsifiers, or detergent-like molecules used to prevent the separation of ingredients in processed foods, as being detrimental to gut flora.
In a study published last month in nature.com, researchers looked at the effects of two common emulsifiers (carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80) on mice and discovered that they had a harmful effect on their guts’ beneficial bacteria, leading to inflammation in the body, obesity/metabolic disorder and colitis in those mice predisposed to this disease.
The researchers found that these emulsifiers invade gut flora, change their very make up and increase the risk of inflammation in the body. From these findings, they suggested that, “the broad use of emulsifying agents might be contributing to an increased societal incidence of obesity/metabolic syndrome and other chronic inflammatory diseases.”
This research provides us with one more reason why we should avoid eating processed foods. More often then not, they supply the body with highly processed sugars and carbohydrates that promote inflammation, thereby putting you at risk for disease. Now, we can also add emulsifiers to their list of inflammation-inducing ingredients.
Your Best Bet To Promote Gut Health, Reduce Inflammation And Achieve a Healthy Weight:
- Avoid processed foods. Instead choose whole, organic fruits, vegetables and non-glutenous grains, grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and eggs, and wild fish whenever possible.
- Include eating raw foods and cooking from scratch.
- To ensure that you won’t eat processed foods out of convenience or time constraints, shop and cook ahead so that you always have healthy, whole foods on hand.
- Eliminate your intake of trans fats. Replace with healthy fats: organic butter, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and omega-3s, just to name a few.
- Promote the health of your gut flora by taking a high quality probiotic and eating fermented foods daily.
- Avoid antibiotics whenever possible.
- Be sure to exercise regularly and get sufficient sleep.
Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
