(Sequel to “The gut and brain link”)
By Noralyn O. Dudt
.jpg)
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).