We all have a mixed bag of both good bacteria (bacteroides) and bad (firmicutes) bacteria in our bodies. The ratio of firmicutes and bacteroides important. A high ratio means more firmicutes and fewer bacteroides are known to be associated with obesity and inflammation. Furthermore, firmicutes involved in weight gain, absorb more calories and fat from food.

Fermicutes have less +ve influence on health but on the other side bacteriodes have more positive influence on health. These tiny organisms eat what you eat and different types thrive on different foods. Bacteroides prefer fiber-rich and whole foods. On the other side fermicutes love refined carbohydrates and added sugars.

So a diet heavy on pizza, pasta, bread, and sugars gives firmicutes ample fuel to multiply and potentially ransack your health. Starve the bad & feed the good fermicutes are not inherently bad. Rather the ratio of these two groups can influence health. When firmicutes are more than bacteroides in the gut, that creates problems because firmicutes are tied to so many diseases including type 1 & 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, alzheimer's, obesity and even increase carbohydrate cravings. So to stop these bacteria from destroying your health, eliminate empty carbs.

Then give bacteroides and other friendly organisms more of what they need, and that is fiber- try adding fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes, bananas, oatmeal, eggs, avocados, spinach, beans, seeds etc in diet. Another consequence is weight gain as firmicutes increase carbohydrate cravings and kick off a vicious cycle of continually eating empty carbs to satisfy your and your gut bacteria's cravings. Role of fiber all fiber feeds good bacteria but prebiotic fibers such as inulin and pectin especially benefit gut health. Prebiotic fibers not only give bacteroides sufficient food but they also get converted into short-chain fatty acids, which may reduce inflammation and control blood sugar and insulin. They also may reduce cholesterl, obesity and even cancer.

A few examples of prebiotic fiber include onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, plantains, artichokes. Also seek out foods & drinks rich in probiotics like sauerkraut, kimchi, pickled vegetables, yogurt, kefir.