Balancing the Microbiomes in Your Body 

Did you know that your body is home to trillions of microorganisms? Don’t worry—it’s totally normal. In fact, keeping a good balance between these microorganisms is key to many aspects of your health. This guide is here to help you understand what these microorganisms are, why they’re important, and how you can keep them balanced in different parts of the body. 

What is a microbiome? 

Microbiomes are the complex communities of the trillions of microorganisms that live in your body. These microorganisms are made up of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and your body has a collection of these microbiomes, all in different places like the mouth, the gut, the urinary system, and even your skin. The key to optimal health in any microbiome is to maintain a balance between the good and bad bacteria in each one. This balance is what helps your body function at its best. 

How to support your body’s microbiomes 

One of the easiest ways to support your body’s microbiomes is to add probiotics and prebiotics to your diet. Probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria to your microbiomes, while prebiotics, or fiber, provide food to beneficial bacteria and nourish them. Probiotics can be found in some fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi. And you can find prebiotics in bananas, whole grains, oats, flax, soy, garlic, onions, and leafy greens. 

If it’s hard to add these foods to your diet, you can try prebiotic or probiotic supplements. But the important thing to know is that your body’s microbiomes are extremely diverse, and they all have different needs. Different strains of bacteria live in different parts of the body. So probiotic and prebiotic supplements can have different benefits depending on the kinds of bacteria they add to your body. 

How to balance each microbiome 

Let’s look at three major microbiomes of your body and learn how you can keep them balanced. 

The Gut Microbiome 

Your gastrointestinal tract is home to a microbiome of bacteria. The gut microbiome has a symbiotic relationship with your GI system, meaning it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Your GI system provides a place for these microorganisms to live and thrive, while your gut microbiome helps maintain the health and functionality of your GI tract. The microorganisms in your gut help with digestion, synthesizing vital nutrients, and protecting against harmful pathogens. But in order for the gut microbiome to help your GI system stay healthy and function at its best, it needs to maintain a balance where good bacteria aren’t overrun by bad bacteria. 

A great probiotic AND prebiotic solution designed for your gut is Good Gut & Go. This is a synbiotic solution, meaning it contains both prebiotics and probiotics that work together. This raspberry-flavored drink mix delivers 10 billion CFUs of three clinically proven probiotic strains—Bifidobacterium lactis HN019™, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG™, and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Lpc-37®—to add good bacteria to the gut.* It also contains 3 g of the prebiotic fiber inulin to help feed that bacteria. 

The Skin Microbiome 

Living on the skin’s surface is your skin’s microbiome, a diverse community of trillions of microorganisms–most of which are harmless or even beneficial. In fact, your skin’s microbiome plays an important role in protecting the body against pathogens, modulating the immune system, and helping to support overall skin health. 

To support your skin’s microbiome, try using Protect Deodorant. This aluminum-free, odor-neutralizing, and nutrient-rich deodorant contains fermented coconut fruit extract and Lactobacillus to provide moisturizing benefits as well as a microbiome-friendly natural preservative system. 

The Vaginal Microbiome 

Your vagina is a delicate ecosystem with a unique microbiome that supports the reproductive system. Probiotics play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy pH level. A healthy vagina needs to be a little acidic because acidity is a protective measure that keeps bad bacteria and other germs from taking hold. It also provides an ideal environment for good bacteria to grow. 

Flora & Flow is a great option for supporting vaginal and urinary tract health.* These once-daily capsules contain a clinically proven blend of probiotics and lactoferrin to balance your vaginal microbiome and pH levels plus D-mannose, which is scientifically shown to guard the urinary tract and help manage unwanted bacteria.* Many of the bad bacteria in your vagina need iron to grow, and lactoferrin binds to iron and limits how available it is to the bad bacteria in your vaginal microbiome.* D-mannose helps to prevent unwanted bacteria from sticking to the walls of your bladder, making it easier for your body to eliminate these unhealthy organisms.* 

It’s all about balance 

Remember that keeping your body’s microbiomes balanced is how you support your gut health, skin health, and vaginal health. So the next time you look for prebiotics and probiotics, make sure they’re going to the right places! 

  

*These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.