How to hack your health with probiotics?

Recently, Netflix released a documentary titled «Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut», which explores the fascinating and complex relationship between diet, gut health, and well-being. Featuring Dr. Giulia Enders and colleagues, this film explores how our gut functions, the significance of maintaining a diverse diet, and the profound impact of the microbiome on both physical and mental health.

The documentary starts with a deep dive into the basics of gut health. Using engaging animations, it explains how our gut works and the development of the microbiome from birth. The gut is often referred to as the "second brain" due to its vast network of neurons and its critical role in regulating not only our digestive health but also our mood and immune system. In discussing the emerging research, the researchers acknowledge that we are only beginning to understand the connections between our gut and various chronic conditions like obesity, mental health issues, and other diseases. It’s worth mentioning that treatments with potential like faecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) are explored, but the documentary warns that these are still experimental.

One of the key messages of the film is the importance of a diverse diet to support a healthy gut microbiome. Dr. Enders emphasizes that our gut is flexible and responds positively to dietary changes. By incorporating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods into our daily meals, we can nourish our gut bacteria and enhance overall health. The documentary suggests aiming for 20-30 different servings of fruits and vegetables each week to achieve this diversity.

The documentary also advocates for listening to your body’s hunger and satiety cues, eating a diverse and plant-rich diet, and limiting ultra-processed foods. Including prebiotic foods such as garlic, onions, whole grains, bananas, and legumes can also help support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

Overall, «Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut» provides valuable insights into the importance of gut health and highlights the need for a diverse diet rich in minimally processed, plant-based foods. While the documentary may motivate some to make dietary changes, we also advise seeking counselling with a registered dietitian to ensure these changes are sustainable.