The Gut’s Microbiome

(Sequel to “The gut and brain link”)

By Noralyn O. Dudt

MICROBIOME of the Gut is the newest frontier in Medicine as extensive research has "uncovered" its role in both health and disease, establishing its involvement in human metabolism, nutrition, physiology, and immune function.

Whether you're aware or not, your gut (lower intestines) is home to a colony of microbes. These human digestive-tract associated microbes are referred to as the gut microbiome. Your gut microbiome is a microscopic world within the world of your larger body. The trillions of microorganisms that live there affect each other and their environment  in various ways. They also appear to influence many aspects of your overall health,  both within your digestive system and outside of it. Each individual has a his/her own  "colony" of these microbes. We are born with them, and the colony develops as we grow. The colony's development depends on the food you eat, and the lifestyle you lead.

The dictionary defines biome as a "biological community that has formed in response to the physical environment..."  For example, drought tolerant plants would grow well in the Mediterranean biome where it's dry. A desert biome is great for a lizard, but a koala needs the leafy greens of a forest home.

Biology defines biome as a distinct ecosystem characterized by its environment and its inhabitants.  Your gut—inside your intestines—is in fact a miniature biome, populated by trillions of microscopic organisms. These organisms include over a thousand species of bacteria, as well as viruses, fungi and parasites.

Your gut microbiome is unique to you. Infants inherit their first gut microbes during vaginal delivery or breastfeeding.  Later, your diet and other environmental exposures introduce new microbes to your biome. It is worth noting however that some of these exposures  can also harm and diminish your gut microbiota that could place you at greater risk for disease.

The microbiome consists of microbes that are both helpful and potentially harmful. Most are symbiotic (where both the human body and microbiota benefit) and some, in smaller numbers, are pathogenic (promoting disease). In a healthy body, pathogenic and symbiotic microbiota coexist without problems. However,  a disturbance in that balance—brought on by infectious illnesses, certain diets, or the prolonged use of antibiotics or other bacteria-destroying medications—dysbiosis occurs, stopping normal interactions. As a result, the body may become more susceptible to disease.

of the microorganisms in our guts have a symbiotic relationship with us, their hosts. That means, we both benefit from the relationship. We provide them with food and shelter, and they provide important services for our bodies. These helpful microbes also help to keep potentially harmful ones in check.

You can think of your gut microbiome as a diverse native garden that you rely on for nutritious foods and medicines. When your garden is healthy and thriving, you thrive, too. But if the soil is depleted or polluted, or if pests or weeds are overrunning the helpful plants, it can upset your "garden"

Your gut microbiome interacts with many of your body systems and assists with many body functions. It plays such an active role in your body that some healthcare providers describe it as being like an organ itself. Some of these interactions we're still learning about while others are well-known.

Bacteria in the gut help break down certain complex carbohydrates and dietary fibers that the body can not break down on its own. They produce short-chain fatty acids—an important nutrient—as byproducts. They also provide the enzymes necessary to synthesize certain vitamins, including B1, B9, B12, and K.

Imbalance of the normal gut microbiota has been linked with gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome  ( IBS), and wider systemic manifestations of disease such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and atopy.

 

How can we avoid disturbance of our gut biome?

1. eliminate foods that feed harmful bacteria that causes inflammation. Example: highly processed foods, refined sugar, fried foods

2. Eat  plenty of prebiotic foods which feed beneficial bacteria. Example: bananas, berries, apples, nuts, yogurt

3. Get enough sleep, exercise daily, and stay hydrated (drink plenty).