The Story Behind Arandu: Why the Microbiome Is My Compass
My love for gut-wise practices began years ago, long before Arandu existed. I spent time learning, exploring the science, and imagining how powerful it would be to share these discoveries in a program that could truly support people. Eventually, that vision led me to become a nutrition coach, and out of this long-standing passion, Arandu was born.
Through every step of this journey, the microbiome has been my compass. These communities of microorganisms that live in and on us (especially in the gut), are not only vital for digestion, but tightly connected to our immune system, metabolism, mood, and even brain function. When they thrive, we thrive. When they are out of balance, many aspects of our health can be affected.
Have you ever heard someone call the gut our “second brain”? The reason behind that is the fact that we have over 100 million nerve cells lining our digestive tract, forming the enteric nervous system, which communicates directly with the central nervous system and can influence mood, stress, and even cognition [1].
Recent discoveries have dramatically increased our understanding of the microbiome’s role in nutrition and health. One of the most important insights is that microbial diversity matters, but not only in terms of which species are present: what the microbiome can do collectively is often more important than what each species can do individually. Two people may have very different microbiomes, but if both groups of microorganisms support the same beneficial functions, their health outcomes can be similar [2]. In other words, one of the keys to a healthy gut is a diverse microbiome.
What we eat plays a decisive role in our microbiome’s diversity and strength, and fibre from plant sources is the best for that. Fibre feeds microorganisms that produce short-chain fatty acids that help maintain gut lining integrity, reduce inflammation, and regulate metabolism [3]. Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut also have a powerful effect because they introduce new microorganisms to the community. A study found that giving people more fermented foods over four weeks increased microbial richness and decreased episodes of inflammation [4].
The effects of the microbiome extend well beyond digestion. A balanced microbiome supports immune function, while disruptions, called dysbiosis, are linked to chronic inflammation, allergies, and even autoimmune conditions [5]. Because of the connection between the gut and the brain, certain eating habits can contribute to mood changes, stress sensitivity, and cognitive decline. Metabolic health also appears to depend on microbial balance, with certain species influencing how we process energy, store fat, and respond to insulin [3].
On the other hand, lifestyle patterns can affect the microbiome. Disruption of circadian rhythms, our natural sleep-wake cycles and meal timing, through shift work or irregular schedules can disturb microbiome stability and in turn affect immunity and metabolism [6]. Stress, antibiotics, poor sleep, and sedentary behaviour also shape microbial patterns, often in harmful ways. Supporting the microbiome means caring for these lifestyle factors alongside nutrition, however, here is no single formula for everyone. Genetics, past diet, and environment mean that each person’s microbiome responds differently to the same foods or supplements, which is why personalized strategies are increasingly recognized as the most effective.
What science shows us is that everyday choices (what we eat, how varied our diet is, how often we include fibre and fermented foods, and even how we manage stress and sleep) directly influence this invisible ecosystem that is part of us. Supporting the microbiome means supporting digestion, immunity, metabolism, and everything else.
That is exactly why Arandu exists: to help turn this knowledge into clear, practical strategies that fit your life. It’s not about complicated rules, but about creating a plan that steadily strengthens your microbiome, so you can feel balanced, energized, and resilient.
Book a discovery call so we can chat further about the benefits of taking care of your microbiome - no pressure, no commitment, just a good conversation about intentional nutrition and the benefits of gut-wise practices… see you soon :)
References
[1] Martin CR, et al. The Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. (2018) doi: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2018.04.003
[2] Marchesi JR, et al. The gut microbiota and host health: a new clinical frontier. Gut. (2016) doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-309990
[3] Martínez I, et al. Gut microbiome composition is linked to whole grain-induced immunological improvements. ISME J. (2013) doi: 10.1038/ismej.2012.104
[4] Taylor BC, et al. Consumption of Fermented Foods Is Associated with Systematic Differences in the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome. mSystems. (2020) doi: 10.1128/mSystems.00901-19
[5] Hermanson JB, et al. Gut microbes, diet, and genetics as drivers of metabolic liver disease: a narrative review outlining implications for precision medicine. J Nutr Biochem. (2024) doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109704
[6] Frazier K & Chang EB. Intersection of the Gut Microbiome and Circadian Rhythms in Metabolism. Trends Endocrinol Metab. (2020) doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.08.013