How I started viewing my belly differently:

A story about the gut ZOO and getting my smile back.

Today, I have a topic for you that wasn’t talked about openly until recently, but for me, this realisation personally changed my perspective not just on gut health, but on overall health. And I decided to share my story with you.

I started noticing how much energy I have throughout the day, what my skin looks like, the state of my mental health, and even the mood i woke up with in the morning.

What did I find out? Have you ever felt completely bloated after lunch? And shortly after eating, your eyes were heavy, you were in a brain fog, and on top of that, zou hat an intense craving for sweetw? This was my reality almost every single day of the month, and I thought it was normal. But only until I learned what was behind it and that the key to fixing it exists - hidden right inside my belly.

Let`s look at, what is the gut microbiome, what PRObioticts, PREbiotics, and POSTbiotics are, and discover the power that hides and “lives” inside your gut.

My Microscopic Universe

Did you know we have an entire microscope “universe” full of life in our stomach? Yes, exactly. Trillions of microorganisms live there. You can read an article on this topic from one of the best hospitals in the world here.

Gut microbiome represents a fascinating and complex system:

it includes the gut environment,
it includes the gut environment,
and the substances they produce.

It can have a profound impact on how strong our immune system is, how much energy we have, and how we feel overall.

Probiotics - Prebiotics - Postbiotics: The main pillars of the gut world.

I prepared an overview of the 3 main pillars of our gut contents. To make it easier to imagine, we can compare it to a ZOO.

1) PRO-biotics: Animals in a ZOO

Probiotics are live, friendly bacteria that reside in our guts, just like animals in a ZOO. We like them and care for them.
Where are they: plain yogurts with live cultures (bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus), kefirs, fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha) or even food supplements.

2) PREbiotics: Food for the animals.

The best food for our friendly bacteria (probiotics) is fibre, whitch helps them thrive grow, and stay strong in out gut.
Examples of nutrion: Potatos, leek, onions, garlic, oatmeal, bananas, legumes, flaxeseeds.

3) POST-biotics: Beneficial gifts produced by the animals

When probiotics are correctly and well with prebiotics, they produce valuable substances for us - known as postbiotics.
These include, among others: fatty acids (butyrate), digestive enzymes (lactase), vitamins , (vitamin K).
These substances greatly benefit our health: : they reduce inflammation in the body, heal gut walls, and give us energy.

The gut-brain axis: Does our stress live in our belly?

Now let’s look further. Have you ever experienced “butterflies in the stomach”? Maybe before an important meeting, or felt sick to your stomach when someone upsets you? That is definitely no coincidence.

Research shows that the human gut and brain are connected by an ultra-fast communication line called the “vagus nerve”. It turns out the gut genuinely influences our brain and mental state, directly shaping how we feel. This is precisely why the gut is often called the “second brain”.

What does it mean in daily life?

Up to 90% of serotonin, the so-called "happy hormone," is produced right in the gut. So it`s no wonder that when my microbiome was disrupted, my vagus nerve sent "stress messages" to my brain. The result? I was irritable, unpleasant, and felt unmotivated.

How to break the cycle?

When harmful bacteria overgrow and outnumber the friendly ones, "dysbiosis".

occurs. I recognised my gut was out of balance mostly through these 4 signals:

Digestive chaos: A bloated, hard belly, frequent diarrhea, constipation, or heaviness after meals.
Sugar cravings: Overgrown yeast demanded sugar so intensely that I craved sweets almost constantly.
Fatigue/Irritability: Anxiety, low mood, brain fog, and severe daytime fatigue became almost daily occurrences for no clear reason.
Weakened immunity/Allergies: When breakouts, rashes, or eczema flared up, and I caught a cold just from seeing someone sneeze in the distance, I said enough is enough.

Of course, these were symptoms that persisted without obvious reasons for long weeks and months. If you eat lentils for dinner and feel bloated the next day, that`s normal. But if you are dealing with similar symptoms long-term, it might be time to consult a doctor who can guide you on next steps.

5 steps to a happier gut ZOO

Now for the good news - what can you start doing right away? There`s no need for drastic overnight changes (that would just cause more stress). I introduced changes gradually, stepping off the worn track bit by bit. step by step , my gut zoo finally began to improve.

1. A varied diet – Thanks to a diverse diet, I have a beautifully diverse microbiome full of different super-bacteria.
2. 1 fermented food/drink per day – I welcome more friendly belly inhabitants with kefir for a snack or a spoonful of kimchi with lunch.
3. Nourish your friendly bacteria – Treat them to fruits, vegetables, or whole grains; they will thank you.
4. Limit highly processed foods (fast food, frozen and instant meals, sugary drinks, excessive refined sugars) – Large amounts of these foods ruthlessly destroy friendly gut bacteria. And you don`t want that.
5. Food supplements – Honestly? I don`t feel like preparing fermented vegetables every day, or I simply run out of kefir in the fridge. Supplements offer consistency and peace of mind. They’re also great for travel or supporting recovery after antibiotic treatment.

My tip for a happy belly

When I was looking for a companion for my new lifestyle, I went with a sure bet. ESSENS knows very well how important it is to have a fit gut and how to keep it in balance

ESSENS food supplements for gut microbiome support help me keep my gut ZOO in harmony, even when I don`t have time to cook perfectly balanced and varied meals. That’s where ESSENS has my back.

How is your ZOO doing?

Have you found your new "microbiome routine" yet? If, like me, you don`t always have time for a flawless daily diet, try ESSENS food supplements and see for yourself how your life improves.

Thanks for reading, and I`m keeping my fingers crossed that your ZOO stays happy and brings you joy!