Gut Microbiome and Diabetes: Important Things to Understand

They say you are what you eat. We don’t want to take it literally, but to stress the importance of eating right.

Although we already know that different diets alter the bacteria that naturally live in our intestines that make the gut microbiome. Now, it turns out that, not only does it affect your overall health. In fact, it plays a crucial role in the development of diabetes.

The gut microbiome is a complex community of trillions of microorganisms that live in our digestive system and it plays a vital role in our overall health, including our digestion, immune system, and mood

Today, scientists are studying the promising link between the gut microbiome and diabetes.  Read on to learn more on how to have a healthy gut!

The World Within Us

Microorganisms are all around us and within us. For example, beer and cheese (and just about every other food we eat) would cease to exist if it weren’t for bacteria and fungi.

In fact, they are even more crucial for the digestion of food, synthesis of vitamins, and fighting off potentially harmful bacteria. Also, our gut health depends on its microbiome. 

After being unsuccessful for years by the money problems surrounding diabetes treatments, there is finally some good news, and that is taking care of your gut health will lower your risk of getting diabetes.

The Burden of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus type II is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar and insulin resistance. It is actually an important risk factor for eye disease, kidney failure, heart disease, and a myriad of other health problems.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide and the cost of treating diabetes is a major burden on individuals and healthcare systems.

There are over 400 million and counting known cases around the world, still it is impossible to ignore the impact that this disease will continue to have for years to come.

Needles, Side Effects, and Money

Aside from diet and exercise, there are also many different drugs to treat diabetes, such as metformin and insulin. However, in 2016 alone, over $50 billion was spent on diabetes drugs.

Moreover, diabetes medications save an untold amount of lives, but they are not without cost.

All medications possibly have their side effects, and insulin requires painful injections. Consequently, rising drug costs and lack of universal health care. Later on it leave millions of Americans at risk of losing access to the meds they need.

Exploring a Hidden Universe

The National Institute of Health (NIH) spent upwards of $170 million to fund research on the microbiota. Then, they investigated and cataloged the different species of bacteria that inhabited. Particularly in the gut and other sites of the body.

Since there are hundreds of different species of bacteria living in our gut. They could determine the presence of over 2 million genes.

In addition, no two people have the same microbiome. But they can identify certain quantifiable characteristics. As a result, they noticed people with diabetes often have comparable gut microbiomes.

The Gut Microbiome and Diabetes

Frustrated with the states of diabetes treatment, scientists suggested that there could be significantly a link between the gut microbiome as well as the onset of insulin resistance and diabetes.

Some specific types of gut bacteria have been linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes.  This pattern was discovered in people who are in the early stages of insulin resistance and prediabetes.  

In the past, testing to determine insulin-resistance has been tedious and costs several thousand dollars to perform.  But now, testing is much cheaper and more accurate helping identify people at risk of developing diabetes.

Using Gut Bacteria to Treat Diabetes

The foods we consume feed the bacteria in our bellies. That is why many different bacteria can thrive depending on our diet.

We can foster the growth of ‘good’ bacteria if we use natural probiotics for diabetics and prediabetics. Thus, when we avoid greasy and sugary food, it can also prevent ‘bad’ bacteria from multiplying.

Do you think you're doing your body a favor by switching to one of those artificial sweeteners? In fact, bad bacteria thrive when given artificial sweeteners. That also can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems as well.

Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are all important for a healthy gut microbiome. Also, taking probiotic supplements may be beneficial for people with diabetes or prediabetes.

The Best Probiotics for Diabetes

Probiotics or ‘good bacteria’ occur naturally. We can also find this in foods containing live cultures. Eventually will favor a healthy microbiome that can help prevent diabetes. You're about to find out how you can get probiotics.

Best Probiotic Foods

Look for foods that use live cultures and/or undergo fermentation. For example, yogurt. Yogurt it is one of the most widely available probiotic foods. Although still there are many examples from different cultures all over the world such as;

•Sauerkraut, a fermented cabbage.

•Kimchi, a traditional Korean dish made of fermented vegetables.

•Tempeh made from fermented soybeans.

•Kefir and kombucha are also great probiotic beverages too.

Other examples include buttermilk, olives, pickles, and certain types of cheese.

Hit the Outdoors

The good bacteria live in nature. In fact, many believe our obsession with cleanliness prevents us from being exposed to good bacteria, but how?

It doesn't mean you shouldn't stop showering or start eating dirt. But going for hikes, camping, and other outdoor activities might just give our microbiomes the boost they need.

Probiotics to Better Your Health

Our society suffers from several health problems. Whereas diabetes affects hundreds of millions of people and continues to become more common. 

Years of research have shown that there is a clear connection between the gut microbiome and diabetes, obesity, and other conditions. And it can even be used for IBD and premature birth predictions.

Now, we finally understood how important to have a healthy gut. Be sure to include plenty of natural probiotics in your diet to increase good bacteria. Visit our blog for articles and tips on the latest issues in health.

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