10 Things That Mess With Your Gut Health10 Things That Mess With Your Gut Health10 Things That Mess With Your Gut Health10 Things That Mess With Your Gut Health
  • About EFI
    • News from Science Director
    • Dr. Ohhira’s Biography
    • Awards and Achievements
    • Press Releases
    • EFI Products in the News
    • Updates on Events in Japan
    • Scientific Advisory Board
  • Shop
    • Dr. Ohhira’s Supplements
      • Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics – Original Formula®Since its origin over 30 years ago, Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® has prided itself on purity and the pristine process that creates this perfect whole food supplement. Our nourishing prebiotic culture medium is fermented with live cultures comprised of EXCLUSIVELY pure spring water, fruits, wild vegetables, mushrooms, and seaweed. Click here to see full ingredients.* This carefully balanced and perfectly blended composition goes through a three-year fermentation process based on ancient Japanese traditions. Fermentation maximizes the natural health-promoting properties of each ingredient.
      • Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics – Professional Formula®Available exclusively to health care practitioners, Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® Professional Formula uses 12 select probiotic strains of LIVE lactic acid bacteria in a longer 5-year fermentation process. This results in a highly concentrated formula optimized for individuals with complex digestive and immune health goals.*
      • Dr. Ohhira’s Essential Living Oils™Fish oil and fatty fish are good sources of Omega-3, but many people are looking for alternative sources of EFAs, due to taste preference or vegan lifestyles. Dr. Ohhira’s Essential Living Oils™ provides that vegan alternative. Eight natural plant and seed oils are cold-pressed, extracted and prepared to provide a pure, undamaged form of plant-based “good fats” for optimum health.*
      • Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis PLUS®Discover another product from Dr. Ohhira’s renowned line of award-winning dietary supplements! Propolis PLUS® is an incredible fusion of antioxidant and immune-supporting components. Think of it as: the secret life of bees meets the ancient wisdom of the ocean PLUS the proven science of Dr. Ohhira’s probiotic extract. These all converge to create a truly singular supplement with benefits for immune health, digestive function, and antioxidant support.* Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis PLUS® is AVA Vegetarian certified and combines a unique and consistently potent Brazilian green propolis with flax oil Omega-3, complete prebiotic and probiotic support, and antioxidants vitamin E and astaxanthin. There is simply no other single-product combination like this on the market today.*
    • Dr. Ohhira’s Skin Care
      • Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Kampuku™ Beauty BarBecause the surface of the skin is an ecosystem populated by diverse micro flora, using synthetic cleansers and moisturizers can disrupt its delicate balance. Choose to nourish it instead! Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Kampuku Beauty Bar™ merges the rejuvenating power of natural ingredients, ancient Japanese fermentation skills, and modern science to create a clarifying, balancing, and rejuvenating beauty bar gentle enough for the entire family. The probiotic extract in our Kampuku Beauty Bar™ also provides rich nutrients like amino acids, and vitamins and minerals that support dermal health and balance.
      • Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Magoroku™ Skin LotionDr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Magoroku™ Skin Lotion combines the rejuvenating powers of natural ingredients, ancient Japanese fermentation skills, and 21st century technology to create a superior clarifying, moisturizing and revitalizing experience. This exclusive formula, created by award-winning microbiologist Dr. Iichiroh Ohhira, melds probiotic and prebiotic nutrients along with wild plant and fruit extracts. The proprietary blend supports the balanced ecology necessary for healthy skin. Magoroku™ is formulated for daily whole body moisturizing and highly effective as a hand cream. While perfect for very dry skin, it is not heavy and is gentle enough for use on the face.
      • Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic Hadayubi™ Lavender MoisturizerOur Hadayubi™ Lavender Moisturizer is a facial moisturizer that provides probiotic support AND encourages an appropriate pH. Hadayubi™ supplies all the natural ingredients found in our Magoroku™ lotion, along with added lavender essential oils for relaxing aromatherapy. Hadayubi™ is formulated as an especially soothing and therapeutic skin care experience. Use it as a rejuvenating night cream for both normal and sensitive skin.
      • Dr. Ohhira’s Premium Collagen PlusCollagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Not only is it a major component of muscles, tissues, bones, tendons, and blood vessels, but it is also responsible for keeping our skin smooth and firm. Though the body produces collagen naturally, production slows down as we age. And other factors, including environmental elements, stress, smoking, and high-sugar diets can accelerate the degradation of collagen and elastin in the skin. The end result is skin that’s lax, thin, and dry. As the largest single organ in the body, we rely on our skin to help us retain moisture. It serves as a barrier against environmental toxins, illness-causing microbes, and other threats, as well. Skin health is vital to our well-being, and providing it with ample “building blocks” to repair itself and produce new collagen fibers is one of the best ways to keep it in fighting shape!
    • Reg’Activ Formulas
      • Reg’Activ Detox & Liver Health
      • Reg’Activ Cardio Wellness
      • Reg´Activ Immune & Vitality™Reg´Activ IMMUNE & VITALITY* contains the revolutionary probiotic strain Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3. Studied for over 20 years, ME-3 produces glutathione—well known for its antioxidant, detoxification, and immune system-supporting activities.*
      • Reg’Activ Essential ME-3The best way to keep the body functioning at its optimal health level is to ensure a consistent sleep and exercise schedule and follow a healthy diet. Over time, however, the presence of these three key items is not enough. While they provide an excellent foundation for health, our bodies begin to naturally slow down the production of essential molecules and amino acids that aid in the detoxification process. Glutathione is an antioxidant present in every cell in the human body and is generally regarded as the ‘mother of all antioxidants’ or the ‘Master Antioxidant’ because of its ability to prevent and delay cell damage and help detoxify chemicals in the liver.* Unfortunately, just when adequate glutathione levels are needed the most, aging and other lifestyle factors adversely affect the natural production of glutathione in the body.
  • Where to Buy
  • Resources
    • The Dr. Ohhira Difference
    • Dr. Ohhira’s Fermentation Method
    • 12 Probiotic Strains
    • Explaining Postbiotics
    • Probiotic FAQ
    • News from Science Director
    • It Takes Guts
    • Probiotic Health Series
    • Glossary of Health Terms
  • News
  • Contact
    • Newsletter Subscription
  • 0 items
✕
10 Things That Mess With Your Gut Health
  • Home
  • Probiotic Health News
  • Immune System
  • 10 Things That Mess With Your Gut Health
Close up of a happy young woman taking her daily dose of probiotics
Close up of a happy young woman taking her daily dose of probiotics

10 Things That Mess With Your Gut Health

Your gut is a major component of your overall health. Often, maintaining a healthy gut comes down to your diet and lifestyle, meaning certain habits, foods, and substances can contribute toward poor gut health.

Importance of a Balanced Gut Microbiome

In your gut, beneficial bacteria (called probiotics) metabolize fiber and other materials from foods (called prebiotics) into substances that your body can use while also keeping harmful bacteria in check. If the balance in the gut is thrown off by reducing the ratio of good bacteria, it can impact your body through alterations in immune response and digestive health.

10 of the Worst Things for Gut Health

In terms of what kills good gut bacteria, there are many lifestyle habits that can have an impact. Ten of the habits that can negatively affect your gut health are listed below.

1. Lack of Exercise

The first item is lack of exercise. A sedentary lifestyle can affect your health in many ways, including in terms of your gastrointestinal health. A growing body of research shows that physical activity is linked to both the physiology of your gut as well as the ratio of gut bacteria (microbiota) present.

2. Stress

Stress and depression have been shown to change the composition of bacteria in your gut through various means, including stress hormones and inflammation. As such, poor stress management can lead to poor digestive health.

3. Poor Sleeping Habits

An important aspect of stress management is maintaining good sleeping habits. Sleep also appears to be directly related to your gut as well, with studies showing that sleep loss has a subtle effect on the composition of your gut microbiome.

4. Lack of Vitamin D

Vitamin D has long been touted as a way to combat anxiety and depression, adding to its role in stress management. However, research shows that it also plays a role in maintaining the integrity of your intestinal barrier, and it may also regulate inflammatory and immune responses, which can also affect your gut’s bacterial composition.

5. Smoking

Most people are well aware of how bad smoking is for your health, and its impact on your gut only adds to the list of its adverse effects. One study assessed the impact that various toxic substances in cigarettes can have on different gut bacterial strains, with the results ultimately contributing to an imbalance.

6. Too Much Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption has also been associated with problems in the gut. Research shows that some of the issues that accompany alcohol-related conditions include dysbiotic changes in your gut’s microbiota while also making your intestinal wall more permeable, potentially letting toxins through.

7. Antibiotics

Naturally, antibiotics can have a significant impact on your gut’s microbiome. Since they are designed to kill bacteria, they can throw off the gut’s microbial balance, often with various health issues as a result.

8. Processed or Sugary Foods

Recent studies have begun to show the impact that food processing can have on your gut. While more research is needed to pinpoint the exact mechanisms at work here, highly processed foods—including foods high in fat and sugar—do seem to have negative results for your gut.

9. Certain Pesticides

Roundup® and other pesticides include a substance called glyphosate, which until recently has largely been believed to be safe for human beings. While it may not affect human cells, it can, however, affect gut bacteria. In fact, studies estimate that about half of the human microbiome is sensitive to glyphosate, making it potentially harmful to your health.

10. Lack of Food Variety

Finally, bacteria need food in order to thrive. That food comes in the form of numerous prebiotic fibers and polyphenols from plants, each of which feeds different types of bacteria. A lack of diversity in your diet can therefore lead to a less diverse and less resilient microbiome.

Gut Health FAQs

What can mess up gut health?

Unhealthy habits and foods of various types can mess up gut health, especially over time.

Does alcohol kill gut bacteria?

Heavy alcohol consumption can kill gut bacteria, including numerous beneficial strains.

What does an unhealthy gut feel like?

Gas, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, fatigue, and heartburn are all potential signs of an unhealthy gut.

How do you know if your gut biome is off?

Digestive issues are a common sign of gut dysbiosis, as are some problems with the immune system,  metabolic system or even a breakdown in the brain-gut feedback system.

How to Improve Your Gut Health

Implementing healthy eating and lifestyle habits can have a positive impact on your gut health. In addition, an all-natural probiotic supplement with prebiotics and postbiotics can help reset, repair, and improve your gut health. To learn more, contact Essential Formulas today.

Sources Used

  • Exercise Modifies the Gut Microbiota with Positive Health Effects
  • Stress, depression, diet, and the gut microbiota: human–bacteria interactions at the core of psychoneuroimmunology and nutrition
  • Gut microbiota and glucometabolic alterations in response to recurrent partial sleep deprivation in normal-weight young individuals
  • Vitamin D and the Host-Gut Microbiome: A Brief Overview
  • Effect of Cigarette Smoke on Gut Microbiota: State of Knowledge
  • The Gastrointestinal Microbiome: Alcohol Effects on the Composition of Intestinal Microbiota
  • Impact of antibiotics on the human microbiome and consequences for host health
  • Food processing, gut microbiota and the globesity problem
  • Does Glyphosate Affect the Human Microbiota?
  • A healthy gastrointestinal microbiome is dependent on dietary diversity

Top Products

  • Dr. Ohhira's Premium Collagen Plus Dr. Ohhira's® Premium Collagen Plus $12.00 – $49.95
  • Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics Dr. Ohhira’s® Probiotic Supplements $35.95 – $89.95

Recent Blogs

  • Study Demonstrates Anti-Fatigue Effect of Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics
  • 17 Best Japanese Beauty Products That You’ll Really Love
  • Top Recommendations for Maintaining a Healthy Microbiome

Blog Categories

  • Awards
  • Immune System
  • Lifestyle
  • Mentions in the Media
  • News
  • Press Release
  • Probiotics and Your Health
  • The Health Series
  • Uncategorized
20 Year Proven Probiotic Award

Privacy Policy
Shipping & Return Policy

1861 Valley View Ln # 180
Farmers Branch, TX 75234

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Trustpilot
Accepted Credit Cards
© 2023 | Essential Formulas Incorporated
0

$0.00

✕

Login

Lost your password?

adroll_adv_id = "CE2DIK6HDVE5RHOZ2NVNRJ"; adroll_pix_id = "4CB76QJVRFE63MX3KAY3DC"; adroll_version = "2.0"; adroll_current_page = "other"; adroll_currency = "USD"; adroll_language = "en_US";