Aloe vera gel and benefits for the natural gut flora

by hayley on December 12 2009

The flora that populate our guts are so important to our health. Aloe Vera is a natural ‘balancer’ in many ways and nowhere more than inside the gut, where it tends to regulate the various bacteria and yeast that inhabit it. For example, if a person were to suffer with too much yeast in the gut, such as Candida, regular ingestion of aloe vera gel would tend to reduce this overgrowth via its natural anti-bacterial and gut-balancing actions.

These beneficial bacteria in our gut have the following benefits:

• Digest certain sugars, proteins or fats

• Manufacture B vitamins and vitamin K

• Prevent bloating, gas and yeast overgrowth by controlling pH level (acidity) of the intestines

• Prevent disease by:

     o Depriving invaders of nutrients

     o Secreting acids that less friendly microbes can’t tolerate well

     o Reinforcing the mucosal barrier of the intestines, blocking dangerous pathogens, toxins and allergens and helps the immune system ;learn; which ones aren’t safe

     o Stimulating the immune system by increasing T-cell counts

     o Producing natural anti-biotic and anti-fungal substances

• Metabolise and recycle hormones (including oestrogen, thyroid hormones and phytooestrogens) facilitating proper hormonal balance

• Detoxify drugs and harmful compounds

They can be knocked out of balance by

• Antibiotic use (especially regular use)

• Certain steroid medications

• Yeast overgrowth (due to improper diet)

• Gastro-intestinal infection / food poisoning

All of these issues can worsen or aggravate IBSGut flora imbalance can lead to:

• GI sensitivity: cramps, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, gas, IBS

• Yeast infections

• Urinary tract infections

• Fatigue and irritability

• Chronice bad breath

• Increased ‘hormonal’ symptoms: PMS, perimenopause or menopause

• Compromised immune capabilities

• Compromised digestive capabilities

• IBS

What helps good floral balance?

A balanced diet containing good levels of:

• Vegetables

• Legumes

• Whole grains

• Garlic

• Foods containing natural probiotics: fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin such as bananas, onions, leeks, other fruit, sweet potatoes, asparagus and soybeans.

• Supplements that balance the gut flora such as aloe vera gel.

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