We live in synergy with some bacteria and the largest concentration of friendly and helpful bacteria live in our gut. We carry up to 4 pounds of microbes and, when we are healthy, they are living in harmony with our gut environment. Bad bacteria (pathogens) can take hold when our gut environment does NOT favor the beneficial bacteria.

When the stomach and small intestine are unable to digest certain foods we eat, gut microbes jump in to offer a helping hand, ensuring we get the nutrients we consumed (hopefully high quality nutrients).

In addition, gut bacteria are known to aid the production of certain vitamins - such as vitamins B and K - and play a major role in immune function. Increasingly, researchers are working to find out more about how gut bacteria - particularly the bacteria that is unique to us individually - influence our health and risk of disease.

Learn from the experts...