Some 15 guests at the Organic Belly probiotic dinner on March 15 heard from nutritionist Melanie Leitch and urban farmer Dean Bleasdale, known as Green Dean.

They learnt how to whip up probiotic dishes with cooking demonstrations from Organic Belly owner and chef Jonas Avelin.

Guests sampled a three course dinner prepared by Mr Avelin.

Ms Leitch spoke about the importance of microbiota and how to improve immunity and digestion.

Microbiota is your personal selection of bacteria that lives in the digestive tract and on the skin.

“We have trillions more of them [microbiota] than we do body cells,” Ms Leitch said.

She advises people to cut back on processed foods, eat probiotic foods, get a good amount of sleep, reduce alcohol intake, cut back on pharmaceutical drugs as much as possible, reduce stress and “get earthy” by walking barefoot in nature and letting your children play in the dirt.

“Our bacteria are our first line of defence against disease,” Ms Leitch said.

She said the biggest hit on the night was Mr Avelin’s food.

Mr Bleasdale spoke about gut health and longevity.

“These days most people don’t have enough of the healthy gut bacteria and they don’t have the diversity of species,” he told the Port News.

“It’s very important we take care from the inside out.”

Mr Bleasdale encourages home gardeners to make sure they have healthy soil, first and foremost, and urges people to buy organic products when possible.