Ah, the profound wisdom of knowing one’s self. This has many facets and today the focus is on the gut flora. When we think of the word flora, we can envision a colourful array of greenery decorated with flowers, sprawling leaves and shade that supplies relief from the sun. Here, too, we can imagine the richness of the earth, soil thriving with life, the rains falling from the sky and the air abuzz with the hum of insects flitting about. We may not initially consider the gut with such ardour and enthusiasm but with a little knowledge into the wondrous world of bacteria, we can begin to see the beauty and nature within our own selves.
Commensal bacteria or friendly/beneficial bacteria brings us historical culture and a survivor instinct (for what better can survive and thrive in the world than bacteria?). The world of these microorganisms, variety abounding, is a very colourful world indeed. Our insides are ripe with life and as has been duly noted time and again, we have more bacterial cells in our guts than we do of our own genetically produced and replicated cells. Thus knowing ourselves, means knowing our gut and this can take many different interpretations.
Trusting our gut and respecting the messages that come with life situations, including the foods we choose to eat, isn’t always easy. At times our gut ‘intuition’ may seem to downright go against our wishes or best thinking, yet, often we are amazed and the inherent wisdom of following that intuition! Our bodies are finely tuned to connect and collaborate with the microflora we carry. Neurotransmitters of the gut are distinctly influenced by the diversity, quality and quantity of bacteria harboured in our intestines.
Testing our guts via a stool sample can highlight potential problems, help resolve chronic issues, and provide direction and insight into creating and maintaining a healthy gut environment. This can identify key pathogenic bacteria that may be proliferating, the presence of certain enzymes, viruses, fungi, and parasites, along with many other markers that will signify intestinal activities.
Knowing yourself, trusting yourself, comes with knowing and trusting life. Lifestyle Naturopathy offers gut testing to better understand and enhance your precious and mysterious microbial organ.
