Teach kids about gut health

It is now reported, that in modern times, for the first time, children are sicker than their parents. The current high prevalence of chronic illness in kids was unheard of 30 years ago.

Also the rate of obesity is growing across most Western populations. There is strong evidence to suggest that most of us suffer from gut dysbiosis (an imbalance of good vs bad gut microbes), which leads to leaky gut 1, 2. An inflamed gut affects the brain, and therefore the happiness and well- being of the child 3.

So let's start a conversation with our kids and help them to understand the importance of our gut and the link with nutrition. It’s important for us to educate our kids and inform them on what we now know about the gut microbiome. The next generation has a unique advantage in that they will be able to ‘bio hack’ their health by nourishing their body and making use of the latest science to do so.

We can start by teaching kids that in our gut we have friendly bacteria- so not all bacteria is bad.... there is healthy bacteria as well. Teach them that there are many types of good bacteria, and each kind has its own unique job in making us healthy. Teach them that the gut has a huge colony of all different kinds of bacteria (microbes) and that we are all different and have different bacteria.

Probiotics, or good bacteria are our allies and help us to stay happy and healthy. Talk the kids through the gut/ brain connection, and teach that there is real communication between the ‘city’ in our gut, containing all the different colonies, and our brain. If the bad bacteria outnumber the good, then we may feel angry, or sad, or have trouble focusing, or feel bloated and sick etc.

Teach kids that a poor diet- one high in processed foods, sugar and trans fats can promote the growth of bad bacteria and is linked with all kinds of health problems. Teach your kids that our microbiomes are always shifting their balance in response to the environment. This means the number of allies (good guys) inside us today possibly different than it was yesterday. When we take good care of our probiotic allies, numbers grow,  and they become stronger and they become better equipped to take good care of us. Teach kids that we need to nourish our gut microbiome to feel strong and healthy.

It is our responsibility to look after the health of the next generation and give them the advantage that comes with knowledge.