Diarrhoea Symptoms & more
Apart from diarrhoea, there are several ailments of the gut that can bother your kids. Being aware of them will help treat them better.
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The Tiny Heroes Inside You
Think of the microbiome as a community of helpful microbes that live inside your digestive system. Most of these microbes are “good” bacteria that work hard to keep things in balance, while a few are “bad” bacteria. The key is to have more good bacteria than bad ones! When your microbiome is balanced, everything runs smoothly—your digestion works well, your immune system is strong, and you feel good. But when that balance is upset, you may experience stomach issues, bloating, diarrhea, or even feel more tired than usual4,5.
How Does the Microbiome Help You?
Your microbiome does a lot of important jobs every day, including:
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Helping with Digestion:
The good bacteria in your gut help break down food that your body can’t digest on its own, especially complex carbs and fibers. This process turns food into energy and helps produce essential nutrients like vitamins2,4.
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Protecting You From Harmful Bacteria:
Your gut is like a battleground, and the good bacteria help keep harmful bacteria under control. A balanced microbiome prevents the bad bacteria from taking over and causing digestive issues6,9.
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Supporting Your Immune System:
Believe it or not, around 70% of your immune system is in your gut! A healthy microbiome strengthens your body’s defense against infections, helping you stay healthy1,3,5.
What Affects Your Microbiome?
Your microbiome is constantly changing based on factors like:
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Diet
What you eat shapes your gut bacteria. Fiber-rich foods feed good bacteria, while sugar, processed foods, and irregular eating habits like overeating can upset the gut balance2,4.
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Stress
Emotional or physical stress can affect your gut, throwing off the balance of bacteria. This can lead to an upset stomach or digestive discomfort7,8.
Antibiotics:
While antibiotics are helpful in fighting infections, they can also kill off good bacteria in the process, leaving your microbiome out of balance6,9.
How to Support a Healthy Microbiome
There are a few simple things you can do to keep your microbiome in good shape:
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Eat a Balanced Diet
Focus on a variety of fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. These help feed your good bacteria2,4.
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Take Probiotics
Probiotics can add beneficial bacteria to your gut, especially when your microbiome is out of balance due to stress, antibiotics, or unhealthy eating1,6.
Stay Active and Manage Stress
Regular exercise and managing stress can also promote a healthy gut. Stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga, can make a big difference7,8.
- Lazar V, Ditu LM, Pircalabioru GG, Picu A, Petcu L, Cucu N, Chifiriuc MC. "Aspects of Gut Microbiota and Immune System Interactions in Infectious Diseases, Immunopathology, and Cancer." Frontiers in Immunology. 2021;12:744519.
- Singh RK, Chang HW, Yan D, Lee KM, Ucmak D, Wong K, Abrouk M, Farahnik B, Nakamura M, Zhu TH, Bhutani T, Liao W. "Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and implications for human health." Journal of Translational Medicine. 2017;15(1):73.
- Belkaid Y, Hand TW. "Role of the Microbiota in Immunity and Inflammation." Cell. 2014;157(1):121-141.
- Valdes AM, Walter J, Segal E, Spector TD. "Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health." BMJ. 2018;361:k2179.
- Zheng D, Liwinski T, Elinav E. "Interaction between microbiota and immunity in health and disease." Cell Research. 2020;30(6):492-506.
- Zuo T, Ng SC. "The Gut Microbiota in the Pathogenesis and Therapeutics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease." Frontiers in Microbiology. 2018;9:2247.
- Mayer EA, Knight R, Mazmanian SK, Cryan JF, Tillisch K. "Gut Microbes and the Brain: Paradigm Shift in Neuroscience." Journal of Neuroscience. 2014;34(46):15490-15496.
- Dinan TG, Cryan JF. "The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease." Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2017;46(1):77-89.
- Kamada N, Seo SU, Chen GY, Núñez G. "Role of the gut microbiota in immunity and inflammatory disease." Nature Reviews Immunology. 2013;13(5):321-335.
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