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Page 22 | Abby's Magazine | www.AbbysMag.com of par cipants in a beneficial way by giving them probio cs (healthy bacteria). Gut bacteria also influence your immune func on. Biologist Sarkis Mazmanian, Ph.D., believes bacteria can actually train your immune system to dis nguish between "foreign" microbes and those origina ng in your body. His work is laying the groundwork for new therapies using probio cs to treat a variety of diseases, par cularly autoimmune diseases such as MS and Alzheimer's. Researchers have also discovered that the absence or presence of gut microorganisms during infancy permanently alters gene expression. Through gene profiling, they've been able to discern that absence of gut bacteria in mice altered genes and signaling pathways involved in learning, memory and motor control. This suggests gut bacteria are closely ed to early brain development and subsequent behavior. These behavioral changes could be reversed as long as the mice were exposed to normal microorganisms early in life. But once the germ-free mice had reached adulthood, colonizing them with bacteria did not influence their behavior. Gut Bacteria and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Recent research suggests gut bacteria may also play an important role when it comes to addressing chronic fa gue syndrome (CFS). According to Maureen Hanson, Ph.D., senior author of the study in ques on, CFS pa ents have "a different profile of bacterial species in their gut microbiome than healthy individuals." Not surprisingly, CFS pa ents as a rule had more species of bacteria known to promote inflamma on, and fewer of those that help combat inflamma on. Those with CFS also had less diversity of bacteria than healthy subjects. That said, not all CFS pa ents had radically abnormal microbiomes. Some were "fairly normal," yet s ll struggled with symptoms of CFS. So while gut flora appears to be part of the dysfunc on, it's unlikely to be the sole cause. Aside from hin ng at poten al treatments using probio cs, which have yet to be inves gated, this research also suggests you may be able to use microbiome tes ng as a diagnos c tool. As reported by Medicinenet.com: "Using the microbiome findings, the researchers said they were able to correctly classify whether 83 percent of the study volunteers had [CFS] or didn't. If these findings are confirmed in a larger study, the authors suggested that the gut microbiome could be used as an addi onal test to determine if it's likely that someone has [CFS]." How to Optimize Your Gut Flora Considering the fact that an es mated 80 percent of your immune system is located in your gut, nourishing your gut and regularly reseeding it with healthy bacteria is important for the preven on of virtually ALL disease, from colds to cancer. To do so, I recommend the following strategies: • Eat real food and avoid processed, refined foods in your diet. It is especially important to avoid all sugars and grains and keep your net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) to less than 50 grams per day. You can use cronometer.com/mercola/ to help you monitor this. • Eat traditionally fermented, unpasteurized foods: Fermented foods are the best route to optimal digestive health, as long as you eat the traditionally made, unpasteurized versions. Some of the beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods are also excellent chelators of heavy metals and pesticides, which will also have a beneficial health effect by reducing your toxic load. Healthy choices include: • Fermented vegetables of all kinds (cabbage, carrots, kale, collards and celery spiced with herbs like ginger and garlic) • Lassi (an Indian yogurt drink) • Fermented raw milk such as kefir or yogurt, but NOT commercial versions, which typically do not have live cultures and are loaded with sugars that feed pathogenic bacteria • Natto (fermented soy) • Kimchi Ideally, you want to eat a variety of fermented foods to maximize the variety of bacteria you're consuming. Fermented vegetables, which are easy and economical to make at home, are an excellent way to supply beneficial bacteria back into our gut. As an added bonus, they can also be a great source of vitamin K2, provided you ferment your own using the proper starter culture. We tested samples of high- quality fermented organic vegetables made with our specific starter culture, and a typical serving (about 2 to 3 ounces) contained 10 trillion beneficial bacteria and 500 mcg of vitamin K2, which is an important co-nutrient to both vitamin D and calcium. Take a high-quality probio c supplement if you don't eat fermented foods on a regular basis. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For over 20 years, Irwin Naturals has formulated best-in-class supplements that address a wide spectrum of health needs. We're excited to introduce our plant-derived, full-spectrum hemp extract formulations with naturally occurring CBD. To verify the purity and potency of each product, please visit www.IrwinNaturals.com/verify. www.IrwinNaturals.com Follow us on... CBD from Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract 10060-AD-CBD-FRESH THYME / CRAVE JAN/FEB2020.indd 1 11/22/19 9:14 AM For over 20 years, Irwin Naturals has formulated best-in-class supplements that address a wide spectrum of health needs. We're excited to introduce our plant-derived, full- spectrum hemp extract formulations with naturally occurring CBD. To verify the purity and potency of each product, please visit www.IrwinNaturals.com/verify.