How to nurture your microbiome: a gut health expert’s top tips

Frankie Jones, Gut Health, Detox and Wellness Specialist, has been supporting her clients to thrive in health and energy for over 20 years. She's sharing some invaluable insights to help you nurture your microbiome starting with something you might not have considered: your mouth.

You are more bacteria than you think

It's almost hard to believe, but we are in fact more bacteria than we are human. The microbiome accounts for more than 90% of the cells that make up you cells containing your human DNA are just 10%.

With this in mind, taking care of the bacteria within our body is essential for good health.

The gut and mouth microbiome are connected

The largest network of bacteria resides primarily in the gut, with the second largest being in the mouth. They have a close relationship due to the digestive tract research has shown that the colon and mouth can share up to 45% of the same bacteria.

Bacteria plays a role in nearly every process within the body: gut lining health, digestion, the immune system, hormone production and chemical signalling throughout the whole body. Healthy bacteria is delicate and easily affected by the lifestyle and dietary choices we make every day.

What disrupts your microbiome?

These common habits can upset the balance of your good bacteria:

• Alcohol
• Artificial sweeteners
• Processed foods and refined sugar
• High fructose corn syrup
• Unhealthy fats
• Smoking
• Stress

How to support your good bacteria

The good news: by taking small but powerful steps to support your healthy bacteria, you can create an environment where they thrive.

Healthy bacteria need feeding. By increasing plant and fermented foods in your diet, you provide more fuel for the good bacteria to flourish.

Plant foods: fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

Fermented foods and drinks: kimchi, kefir, natural yogurt and kombucha.

Frankie sets her clients a challenge to eat 30 different plant foods a week not just for the bacteria, but to reach as many nutritional markers as possible. Give it a try!

Prebiotics vs probiotics - what's the difference?

It can get confusing. Simply put: a probiotic contains bacteria, while a prebiotic is the food that feeds the bacteria. Both matter — but prebiotics are the foundation.

The more we nurture the good bacteria, the more we contribute to our overall health.

How Polished London supports your oral microbiome

Our Cloudberry + Mint Prebiotic Toothpaste contains FOS (Fructooligosaccharides)  a form of soluble fibre and a prebiotic that provides food and energy to the good bacteria in your mouth.

It's the first oral toothpaste to include FOS meaning you can begin and end your day with a dose of prebiotic support for your oral microbiome, without changing anything else about your routine.

You can also find FOS naturally in: lentils, oats, garlic, bananas, artichokes, onions, peas and asparagus.

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Support your oral microbiome daily:

• Cloudberry + Mint Prebiotic Toothpaste — FOS prebiotic formula to feed your good oral bacteria.
• Hydroxyapatite Whitening Toothpaste — strengthens enamel and supports a healthier mouth.
• Copper Tongue Detox Scraper — remove bacteria build-up and support oral freshness daily.
• Vanilla Dental Floss — daily flossing to keep the spaces between teeth clean and balanced.