How to Nurture the Gut Microbiome for a Healthier, Longer Life: Tips from Dr. Monty Lyman of Oxford University

Dr. Monty Lyman, an expert from Oxford University, shares three tips for taking care of intestinal health, thereby helping to prolong life. Recent studies on the gut microbiome are opening up new perspectives on the human body. In an interview with us, Dr. Lyman emphasized that the intestinal microbiota plays a key role in training the immune system, helping to differentiate between friend and foe. This, in turn, helps prevent chronic inflammation – a leading cause of many long-term symptoms and diseases.

Dr. Lyman believes that healthy eating is pivotal for improving intestinal health. He describes caring for the gut microbiome as tending to a community within ourselves. Every meal, even when eaten alone, is essentially a communal meal. He shares three methods for nurturing a healthy gut microbiome for both mind and body: intestinal care, making your own sauerkraut, and taking more time to rest.

In terms of intestinal care, Dr. Lyman likens tending to the gut microbiome to gardening where he nourishes the bacterial community by eating the right amount of food. He highlights dietary fiber as vital for fostering the bacterial community living in the intestinal mucosa. Fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts