If you have ever had the unfortunate experience of being infected with salmonella, you know that it is not a pleasant experience. Salmonella can cause fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea – sometimes so severe that the infected person must be hospitalized. Most people recover without treatment in 4 to 7 days. Salmonella is a food borne bacteria. People get sick from eating contaminated foods, or foods that have been cross-contaminated. The gut is one of the first lines of defense for immunity. Many health practitioners will often say that good health begins and ends with the gut. |
Gut health is a key factor in determining the general state of well being that you experience. But what happens when the gut gets out of balance? The gut is lined with tiny bacteria; these bacteria perform a number of key functions, notably aiding in digestion and immunity.
A few things can cause these good-guy bugs to die, though. Improper diet, alcohol use, antibiotics and fungi are all offenders. When these good bacteria die, it leaves room for other, more virulent microbes to colonize the gut lining. Fungus is not least among these – when fungi or yeast come in, a whole host of problems can begin. Interestingly, Dr. Lynn Jennings – a regular contributor to our newsletter – says that if you have a fungal condition anywhere in the body, you certainly have it in the gut.
How does this relate salmonella? People are exposed to a number of bugs every single day. The reason we all aren’t always doubled over and sick is because our immune system helps defend against these microbes. But if your gut terrain has been compromised, your immunity has been compromised, which could certainly put you at risk of infection for any number of bugs.
There are ways to protect yourself and keep your guts healthy. Make sure all raw meat is properly refrigerated. Wash all produce, and avoid letting any foods come in contact with dishes where raw meat has been stored. Supplement your gut health with probiotics and foods with probiotics, like plain yogurt. For increased immunity, beta glucans are a great choice. Stick to a Kaufmann 1 diet. These things can give you a good shot at avoiding dirty bugs like salmonella.