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The Gut Microbiome: A Modern Imbalance

Our gut microbiomes today are a far cry from the rich, diverse ecosystems our ancestors carried. Industrialized diets, antibiotic use, and sterile living spaces have severely reduced this microbial diversity, creating a state of imbalance called gut dysbiosis. The solution is to "rewild" your gut by restoring a connection to nature's original sources of probiotics and prebiotics. This ancestral approach emphasizes environmental microbes, soil-based probiotics, and wild prebiotic foods to rejuvenate the microbiome and support overall health.

Why Reconnect with an Ancestral Diet?

The gut microbiome influences almost every bodily function, from digestion and immunity to metabolism and mental clarity. A diverse microbiome is key to resilience, but modern lifestyles have eroded this diversity. Diets high in processed foods and low in fiber fail to provide the necessary fuel for beneficial microbes. Research demonstrates a significant difference in microbial diversity between populations in industrialized societies and those in agrarian or hunter-gatherer communities, who maintain a close relationship with nature and consume more unprocessed, fibrous foods. This decline in microbial richness has been linked to an increase in autoimmune conditions, allergies, and digestive issues.

The Role of Soil-Based Probiotics

Soil-based organisms (SBOs) were once a natural part of the human diet, consumed through foraged foods and contact with the earth. Today, they are largely missing from our food supply due to modern farming and processing. Unlike traditional probiotics, SBOs such as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus coagulans are known for their resilience. They form protective spores that allow them to survive stomach acid and reach the intestines intact, where they can colonize and provide benefits. SBOs are known to:

• Support digestion by producing enzymes that break down food.

• Modulate the immune system, which can help reduce inflammation.

• Prevent the overgrowth of harmful pathogens by creating an unfavorable environment for them.

You can reintroduce SBOs by eating produce from regenerative farms, enjoying traditionally prepared fermented foods, or using a high-quality SBO supplement.

Nourishing Your Gut with Wild Prebiotics

While probiotics introduce new microbes, prebiotics are the fuel that helps them thrive. Two excellent natural sources of prebiotics are seaweed and medicinal mushrooms.

• Seaweed, rich in prebiotics like fucoidans and alginates, selectively feeds beneficial gut bacteria and helps support the gut lining.

• Medicinal mushrooms contain beneficial beta-glucans that promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria and have anti-inflammatory properties.

By incorporating these wild foods and reconnecting with nature, you can take meaningful steps to restore the microbial balance that has been lost and build a more resilient, healthier gut.