A universe of life
The volume of organisms present in the typical human gut is staggering – between 10 and 100 trillion microbial cells form this diverse ecosystem within our bodies. When they are balanced and working in concert, they provide a wide range of benefits that keep us healthy and happy. These benefits include the production of feel good neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, appetite regulation through the production of leptin and ghrelin, blood sugar regulation through promotion of insulin sensitivity, hormone regulation via alterations in oestrogens and androgens, and stress reduction via regulation of cortisol production.
Imbalance leads to disease
However, if this ecosystem loses it’s balance then disease will follow. Certainly disease of the gastrointestinal system, but also systemic disease of the entire body. A proliferation of potentially harmful organisms that should generally be kept in check by the appropriate levels of beneficial ones can be the triggering event that results in all of the leading causes of mortality: heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and dementia.
Diversity is strength
A diverse microbiome is capable of performing more beneficial functions for the body. Diversity gives greater resistance to colonisation by infective organisms. Diversity also creates more checks and balances that keep physiological processes performing optimally. The greatest threats to microbial diversity are a poor diet, environmental toxins, and the use of antibiotics and many other pharmaceutical medications.
LPS and metabolic endotoxemia
An imbalanced microbiome will produce higher levels of toxicity, particularly a compound called lipopolysaccharide or LPS. In addition, an imbalanced microbiome will cause damage to the gut lining. This damage allows the infiltration of LPS into the blood stream, thus circulating throughout the body and triggering widespread immune reactivity and inflammation. It is this chronic inflammation that can trigger a range of disease processes both within the gut as well as throughout the body.
What can be done?
The core principles of restoring a diverse microbiome are simple:
- Eat a diet high in a wide variety of vegetables and fruits (these should compromise at least 50% of your diet).
- Avoid excessive levels of fat, especially vegetable fats such as canola oil (olive oil is the exception here and is very beneficial). Animal fats should be kept to a minimum, but never choose an animal product that has been processed to remove naturally occuring fat eg choose full cream dairy over skim or reduced fat versions.
- Only use antibiotic medications when absolutely neccessary
- Avoid environmental chemicals wherever possible (especially household cleaning products as well as personal products such as soaps, perfumes and make-ups)
Infection eradication
Beyond the core principles mentioned above, it may be neccessary to identify and remove pathogenic ‘trouble makers’ from your gut (see my article on SIBO to understand more). In this case, I strongly recommend finding a qualified practitioner that can order detailed stool testing to determine the specifics of both detrimental and beneficial organisms present (I have found the microbiome mapping test I offer in my clinic to be the clear winner in this case). These results will steer the specific botanical and nutritional agents used in clearing the identified infection, as well as the key probiotic strains required to bolster levels of beneficial organisms. Also, repairing the gut lining is an important step in recovery – the amino acid glutamine can be beneficial with this.
Your gut is truly the key to health
The most important take away from all of this: if you have any symptoms of gut dysfuction (reflux, IBS, diarrhea or constipation etc) this is not normal, and could lead to further health complications. There is highly effective treatment available, and restoring your gut to normality should be the priority for a long and healthy life.
Do you have any stories of how gut issues impacted other areas of your health? Or perhaps you have questions – feel free to ask or comment!
In wellness,
James Marr
