You're only 10% human. Yes, really. Just over a decade ago, doctors believed there were around 200 species of bacteria living on and in the human body. We now know there are over 30,000 species. We have a community of 100 trillion microorganisms in our gut. That is 10 times the number of human cells in the body. This basically means we're 10% human, 90% bacteria! The microbiome was an unknown entity, but now science has shown it to be a game changer. It's an integral part of our health, and if we can support it, we can thrive. We are in a synergistic relationship with the microorganisms in our body - we need them to survive, and they need us. They've been a part of us since the beginning of human evolution. But we're bailing on them right now. In the last century, we've stopped taking care of them. Our diets (the chemicals we use to process our food), environment (the chemicals we use to clean our homes), lifestyles (lack of sleep, lack of movement, stress), medications (antibiotics) - destroy the delicate microbiome we rely on for health. Doctor Will Bulsiewicz, also known as Dr. B, is an internal medicine doctor and expert gastroenterologist. While his conventional medicine training did not include any nutrition study, science was emerging about the power of diet to treat gastrointestinal disease. So he began studying it in his own time and discovered the untapped potential of a healthy gut. Having witnessed amazing results with his patients, he decided to spread the word beyond his clinic. The Gut Health MD was born. Why your gut is your first step to thriving health: All health starts here. It controls your metabolism and how you process your food. It dictates whether you gain weight, or lose weight, and how easy it is to maintain your weight. It's in constant communication with your immune system. It regulates your mood and impulses - 95% of serotonin (your happy hormone) is produced in the gut. What can you do to heal your gut? The most important thing is to eat a wide variety of plants - the more different plants you eat, the healthier your microbiome. Unless you have an allergy, don't blanket-eliminate foods from your diet - taking out foods reduces your diet's variety and therefore your gut's microbiome. Get proper sleep, exercise every day, drink plenty of water. Avoid dairy, meat and processed foods - these damage your microbiome. Fasting gives your gut a break and strengthens your microbiome. Check out the American Gut Project. Go to their website, they will send you a kit - give them a stool sample and fill out a survey about your lifestyle, and for just $99 they will tell you what your microbiome looks like. Being hailed as "Sex and the City for Food," The Food Heals Podcast brings together experts in the field of nutrition, health and healing to teach you the best-kept natural secrets to being a hotter, healthier, happier YOU! The Food Heals Podcast is hosted by Allison Melody and Suzy Hardy – two self-proclaimed natural chicks who will rock your world and change your beliefs about health! This sexy, savvy duo provides eco-friendly advice on a variety of issues including the healing power of nutrition, living authentically, turning your passion into your career, choosing the best natural health and beauty products, the benefits of a plant-based diet and so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices