Written by Dr. Mahesh Sujan

Medically reviewed by Dr Godmi Tresa

Updated on February 12, 2025

Gut Bacteria Treatments : How to Balance Your Microbiome for Better Health

Hello there! Have you ever thought about why your belly feels good one day and the next it feels like your stomach has been out to hunt you down? What about changes in your mood?  Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria known together as the microbiome! 

All these microorganisms perform extremely important tasks, such as aiding in digestion, boosting immunity, controlling mood, and even taking care of your skin. They are like silent business partners in your body, always available, 24/7! But what happens when this fine balance is disturbed? 

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The loss of gut microbiome balance is called dysbiosis. This shift can cause bloating, tiredness, slow digestion, and, believe it or not, other problems that you would never normally associate with your gut. Now, if you have been feeling weird lately, it’s more than likely that your gut bacteria is the reason. This may sound horrible, but it’s not as bad as it seems. Thankfully, this may be fixed with a few simple lifestyle changes! 

Nirva Health can help you with holistic options for your gut health, as one of their areas of expertise is easing gut health naturally. By applying Ayurvedic principles along with modern tools and practising yoga, Nirva Health strives to build a healthy community with proper lifestyle and habits.

Irene’s journey highlights the impact of gut health. Battling constant bloating and brain fog, she turned to Nirva Health for support. With a few simple changes, she discovered, 

“I never knew how much my gut health was imbalanced! Now I feel energised, my skin is clearer, and I no longer worry about my digestion issues!”

-Irene, Nirva Client.

 

Her experience shows how a little care can lead to big changes.

Are you ready to rectify your issues with gut health? Let’s go ahead and explore the steps you can take in order to maintain a well-balanced and healthy microbiome. 

What Causes An Imbalanced Microbiome?

Is it your diet? Stress, or the medications you take? There are many reasons why gut bacteria can be imbalanced, but have you ever thought about what can throw them off balance? The overwhelming majority of people do not understand how everyday activities can alter their gut microbiome. Our diet, our lifestyle, and even our environment have a direct impact on our gut health. So, what exactly is the underlying cause of the imbalances in your gut? Let’s find out:

1. Poor Diet

A diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can make it harder for the good bacteria in your gut to diversify. These foods create an environment where harmful bacteria thrive, which results in indigestion, bloating, and even long-term gut issues. 

If not enough fibre is consumed, beneficial bacteria will also not receive the nutrients required for them to flourish. Good bacteria require fibre to multiply and crowd out harmful bacteria, so fibre is extremely important.

2. Antibiotics Use

Antibiotics are sometimes necessary in fighting infections, but they are not selective in destroying bacteria, leading to the destruction of beneficial bacteria as well. Prolonged antibiotic use enables harmful bacteria to take control and cause problems with digestion. 

3. Stress And Lack Of Sleep 

Chronic stress can also lead to an excess of cortisol release, which can change gut bacteria composition and trigger inflammation. Also, sleep deprivation can disturb the rhythm of the gut, causing negative effects on mood and digestion. 

4. Environmental Degradation 

Pesticides, chemicals, and pollutants present in food, air, and water can harm the gut microbiome as they release toxins that destroy the gut lining and lower bacterial diversity. 

5. Sedentary Lifestyle Effects

Due to a lack of physical activity, digestion is slowed down, and the diversity of the gut microbiome is also weakened. Overconsumption of alcohol is also detrimental to the good bacteria, thus causing negative effects such as a weakened immune system and sluggish digestion.

Signs Of An Imbalanced Microbiome 

After a meal, have you ever found yourself uncomfortable and feeling bloated? Do you often feel fatigued or randomly experience skin breakouts? Those could indicate that your microbiome is unbalanced. How do you check? 

There are various signals your gut sends to you in the form of symptoms. You may not immediately recognise the links, but those signals are there. Ignoring these can be dangerous in the long run; hence, monitoring your body closely is crucial. 

  • Digestive Issues: Bloating or gas, constipation, or diarrhoea are all factors indicative of symptoms manifesting from an unbalanced gut. 
  • Food Intolerances Or Sensitivities: An intolerable and strong dislike towards some foods sometimes stems from an imbalanced gut disorder that is scraping your system. 
  • Skin Problems: Acne, eczema, and rashes are indications of internal gut unbalances that manifest themselves externally. 
  • Fatigue Or Brain Fog: Problems like lack of clear thought processes or constant fatigue stem from poor gut health, which slowly wreaks havoc on your mental clarity and energy levels. 
  • Frequent Infections Or Low Immunity: With a compromised gut, an individual’s body is unable to combat infections due to the already weak immunity. 
  • Mood Disorders: Because the human gut and brain are so intensely interconnected, anxiety and depression are deeply rooted in the health of the gut, as the gut has an immense impact on the neurotransmitters that affect emotions, like serotonin.

Still feeling lost? There are many things you can do to regain your balance. Keep reading for the next sessions.

Natural Methods To Balance Your Gut Microbiome

Have you ever considered whether it’s possible to naturally support your gut? You can feel as well as you ought to with just a few adjustments to your daily life. Simple modifications to your lifestyle and diet can dramatically improve your gut health. The best part? Most of what you need is available right in nature! 

1. Probiotics

Probiotics are living bacteria and yeasts advertised as good for one’s health. Probiotics are found to be effective in improving a person’s digestive system. Expanding on this, Probiotics are contained in some food products such as yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and even kombucha. You could also buy Probiotic supplements directly, as they can contain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria, which are helpful in digestion.

To know more, read the Gut Health and Probiotic Foods Guide.

2. Prebiotics

Prebiotics are an amazing source of fibre that helps feed the good bacteria in your gut. Providing Prebiotics can also help replenish good bacteria in your body. Like all good things, Prebiotics can be found in garlic, onions, asparagus, bananas, dandelion greens, and even oats! These foods help develop a balanced gut flora and promote a good environment for the gut to function properly.

Suggested Use: Consider eating food with prebiotics added on a daily basis so you can help maintain your gut microbiota.

3. Diet High In Fiber

Just like any other aspect of health, fibre is crucial in nutrition since it prevents the digestive system from stagnating. It nourishes your gut flora, ensures a healthy frequency of bowel movements, and wards off constipation.

Sources: Beans and lentils, whole grain foods, fruits, vegetables, and nuts are great sources of fibre-rich foods for gut health. Brown rice and whole wheat bread are also good sources of fibre.

4. Water Consumption

Adequate water intake supports healthy digestion. Consuming sufficient amounts of water will improve digestion. Water assists in the process of food digestion, waste removal, and the movement of food through the digestive organs. Strive to drink two to three litres, or eight to twelve glasses, of water a day.

5. Managing Stress

Stress can lead to the release of hormones that cause imbalance in the gut flora. If the stress lasts for a long time, this change can aggravate many gut problems. Relaxing activities that are helpful for stress relief include mindfulness and meditation, deep breathing, and yoga. Research has proved the impact of yoga and meditation intervention on stress and anxiety levels. These activities help suppress brain activity and improve gut conditions.

Nirva Health offers really cool Yoga courses designed just for you and your unique needs. If you’re curious to learn more, just connect with the experts; they’d be happy to help!

6. Routine Exercise

Regular exercise helps you amplify the diversity of organisms living in your gut, which is crucial for your health. Walking, swimming, doing yoga, or even dancing can help you digest food and strengthen and diversify the bacterial population in your gut. 

7. Sleep Hygiene

Just like other parts of your body, your gut needs to maintain a healthy sleeping cycle. Poor sleep can reduce your gut’s bacterial diversity, which can hinder digestion. Make it a point to sleep seven to nine hours every night in a consistent manner. 

8. Avoiding Harmful Substances

There are some habits which can be detrimental to your gut health. Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and consuming food with pesticides and artificial additives can jeopardise the beneficial gut bacteria and let the harmful microbiota prosper. Reducing these substances can help in maintaining gut health. 

9. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 enables the reduction of inflammation in the gut while fostering friendly bacteria. It is present in both fish oil and flaxseeds.

10. Vitamin D

Your body uses vitamin D to defeat harmful bacteria and work on the gut lining. This is what makes vitamin D essential for gut health. Adequate sunlight or additional supplements will ensure balanced vitamin D levels.

11. Foods To Avoid For Better Gut Health

Some balanced diets are a risk to your gut, so be mindful of the following:

  • Processed Foods: These are laden with sugar, unhealthy fats, and exotic carbs that damage your gut bacteria.
  • Artificial Sweeteners: They can interfere with the balance of bacteria and may cause bloating.
  • Excessive Red Meat: Too much of these can cause an increase in unfriendly bacteria.
  • Dairy: Makes some people bloat and sick or leads to intestinal problems.

Improving your gut health is easier than it seems—it’s all about making small changes and sticking to them!

Wrapping It Up

Having a healthy gut is essential for your wellness as it impacts digestion, mental clarity, and immunity. The good news is that improving the gut microbiome is simple and can be done naturally. Modifying your diet, lifestyle, and daily habits with small, consistent steps can create a gut-friendly environment for your body. Think of your gut like a garden–you must nourish it with the right nutrients while protecting it from harmful substances if you want it to flourish.

Taking control of your gut is something that can be started right away. Each change, whether it is putting more fibre in your diet or including probiotic foods, brings you a step closer to your goals. Best of all, the energy you put into it will be highly fruitful. It is time for you to take charge so your gut can thank you now and for many years to come.

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Dr. Mahesh Sujan

Dr. Mahesh is a dedicated young Ayurveda doctor on a mission to educate the global community about the transformative power of Ayurveda. A passionate fitness enthusiast, he firmly advocates the principle that prevention is better than cure. With a focus on lifestyle disorders, Dr. Mahesh emphasizes how Ayurveda can play a crucial role in both prevention and management of these conditions. Additionally, he is a committed public health advocate who has made significant contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to promote health and wellness in challenging times. Through his writing, Dr. Mahesh aims to inspire others to embrace a holistic approach to health and well-being.