Weight loss programs, fitness training, bodybuilding… all of these health programs take a long time to see the results. That doesn’t mean they’re not worth doing, it just means they take time and dedication to achieve, which most people struggle with keeping up.
You may also wonder about developing a healthy microbiome, and how long it takes for your gut health to reach optimum levels.
Well, the great thing is, you’ve already got a head start on it.
Right now, there’s good bacteria living in your gut – all you need to do is feed it the right foods and make sure it grows!
Here, Luke Clarke – Melbourne’s high-performance naturopath and functional medicine practitioner – explains how long it takes for the body to develop a healthy microbiome and how to achieve this:
What is the microbiome?
This is a good place to start. Your microbiome is a collection of trillions of viruses, bacteria and fungi that live in your stomach. The microbiome generally refers to the part of your large intestine where most of these microorganisms live – the cecum.
Some of these microorganisms are related to disease and health problems, while most others are incredibly important for your health and directly affect your immune system, heart health, weight and more. So, we ideally want to increase the amount of good bacteria, and decrease the amount of bad guys.
These microbes are a bigger part of you than you think: in total they can weigh between 1-2kg… similar to the weight of your brain!
How long does it take to develop a healthy microbiome?
Right now, you’ve got some good bacteria in your gut, meaning you’ve got the perfect foundations for a healthy microbiome. Congrats! But if you’re experience stomach problems like IBS, SIBO, or other conditions, you’ve got more bad bacteria in the gut than good.
Thankfully, this can quickly be turned around. In fact, many studies show that you can see improvements to gut health in just 3 days of healthy eating, and can restore your gut health to appropriate levels within a month. Achieving a healthy microbiome may take up to 6 months to fully complete, however this is a life-long commitment to eating the right foods and keeping your gut healthy.
How to improve your diet for a healthy microbiome
If you’re looking to improve your gut health, schedule an appointment with Luke Clarke – Melbourne’s best naturopath and practitioner of functional medicine. Luke Clarke has helped many people in your position to improve their microbiome. A practitioner of functional medicine and naturopath in Melbourne, Luke helps patients overcome individual health challenges through natural methods. Combining science and naturopathic philosophies, Luke Clarke cares about your health and works alongside you to improve it. Contact Luke Clarke for a 10-minute free consultation today.