More microbes than stars in the milky way

As we learn more about the importance of our gut microbiota—that complex ecosystem of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that call our digestive system home—the more we’re learning about its significance to our health in midlife too.

1. More Microbes Than Stars in the Milky Way: Your gut microbiota contains approximately 100 trillion microorganisms, outnumbering human cells by 10 to 1. If you think of the Milky Way galaxy’s stars, your gut is teeming with even more life!
   
   
2. The Brain-Gut Connection: Your gut produces about 90% of the body’s serotonin, the neurotransmitter often called the "happy chemical." This means that a healthy gut can directly influence our mood.
   
   
3. A Metabolic Powerhouse: The microbiota help digest food, synthesize vitamins like B12 and K, and produce short-chain fatty acids that fuel your colon and support overall health. It also helps us regulate blood sugar, keep our hunger hormones working as they should, and help us manage cravings too.

Why we lose balance in midlife.

Dr Martins, our resident naturopath and herbalist points to 4 pillars that directly impact our guts and our ability to maintain a healthy weight in midlife.

1. Stress: Stress impacts our body’s ability to produce hormones and disrupts our gut’s workings too. During our menopause transition, our resilience to stress decreases, which means we ‘feel’ more acutely and are likely to produce more cortisol as a result.
   
   
2. Loss of sleep: Around 60% of us will struggle with sleep in midlife. But did you know it influences our gut too? Why? Because our gut microbes also follow a circadian rhythm, with their composition and function fluctuating throughout the day. Poor sleep or disrupted circadian rhythms (eg: from hot flashes or waking with anxiety in the night) can interfere with the natural cycling of the microbiota. This can lead to an imbalance in microbial diversity too.
   
   
3. Blood sugar: fluctuating blood sugar levels can have a significant impact on gut health, creating a ripple effect that can disrupt the microbiota, gut barrier, and overall digestive function. Again, we become more susceptible to blood sugar imbalance in menopause as a result of oestrogen decline.
   
   
4. Ultra Processed foods: We’re all learning more about the health implications of a diet heavy in UPFs. But, it’s even more important to pay attention to what you put on your plate because we are already vulnerable to insulin resistance and changes to our metabolic rate.

The Forgotten Wisdom of Bitters

Bitters are a class of compounds derived from plants that stimulate the body’s digestive capacity. They’ve been used for centuries to promote gut health, and modern research is catching up.

Stimulating Digestive Juices: Bitters prime the digestive system by encouraging the production of stomach acid, bile, and pancreatic enzymes. This creates the ideal environment for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.

Improving Microbial Diversity: Bitters can help "weed and seed" the gut microbiota, fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria while discouraging pathogenic strains.

Our best-selling formulation Gut-Instinct harnesses the brilliance of bitters, along with a host of other hard-working heroes! And we’ve selected one of the best researched, artichoke leaf, as the bitter to power this blend.

Why Artichoke Leaf Deserves the Spotlight

Among the pantheon of bitters, artichoke leaf stands out as a superstar for gut health. Here’s why:

1. Bile Production Boost: Artichoke leaf has a unique ability to stimulate bile flow, essential for fat digestion and detoxification. Efficient bile flow ensures that the gut’s microbial environment remains balanced, reducing harmful bacteria overgrowth.
   
   
2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Artichoke contains cynarin, a potent compound that soothes inflammation in the digestive tract, helping to repair damage caused by dysbiosis or food sensitivities.
   
   
3. Prebiotic Potential: Artichoke is rich in inulin, a type of prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, paving the way for a healthier microbial community.

Building the Foundation for Balance

Healing your gut is not a quick fix; it’s a journey back to balance. But what is exciting is that our bodies do respond. We have the agency to nourish it through a more mindful approach to eating, the supplements we select and the way we ‘digest stress’.

To learn more about what our customers say about Gut-Instinct, check out our latest reviews HERE.