The importance of gut health

It wasn’t so long ago that all bacteria were thought to be bad since the first bacteria we were able to identify were pathogens that caused illnesses and infections. Today, we know that most bacteria are either completely harmless or even vital to our health.

Good bacteria educate the immune system, preparing it to fight unwelcome invaders like bad bacteria and toxins. A healthy balance requires that good bacteria outnumber the bad ten to one.

An imbalance in the digestive system may occur if, for whatever reason, bad bacteria exceed the amount normally present. This is known as dysbiosis. Symptoms of dysbiosis include diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, temporary stomach pain, and a leaky gut.

Baby and child gut health

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can be a sign that our gut bacteria are disturbed and out of balance, a condition known as dysbiosis. Dysbiosis often occurs with the use of antibiotics, which kill the good bacteria as well as the harmful ones. However, dysbiosis can also be caused by various pathogens. Read more

Constipation

Anyone can experience constipation. However, the prevalence is higher in women, the elderly and those living in low socioeconomic situations. Constipation is also very common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes that affect the time it takes for stools to pass through the intestinal tract. Read more

Helicobacter pylori

Approximately half the world’s population is infected with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). It is the leading cause of stomach ulcers and can increase the risk of certain cancers. Read more