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Microorganisms, the Microbiome, and How We Interact with Them - Part II

I started this two-part series telling of the gut microbiome’s specific role in digestion and nutrition and its effect on the absorption of specific nutrients. I promised, then, to show how these microorganisms also impact our overall physical and mental health. While the information in part one is well known and widely accepted, I can also share with you some of the evidence that research has revealed for this second, lesser known point as well. 

First, there are two studies that I would like to highlight. 

EVER-CHANGING

One, published in February of 2019, is titled “An Insight into the Gut Microbiota and it’s Functionalities.” Its authors note that the gut flora “is an integral part of the human body.”

The microbiota which we are intended to acquire at birth during a vaginal delivery evolves as the individual matures. {Notice that I specifically noted a vaginal delivery, because during the vaginal delivery process, the newborn is inoculated orally with both vaginal and fecal bacteria from the mother. This does not occur in a cesarean delivery.}

These authors go on to state that, “The accumulated evidences suggest that, though a part of the microbiota is conserved, the dynamic members (i.e, those that are the most functionally active or productive in the symbiotic relationship that they share with us) vary along the gastrointestinal tract … from infants to elderly … and in different health conditions.” They further state that the “gut microbiota is dynamic,” meaning ever-changing. “...it performs some basic functions in the immunological, metabolic, structural, and neurological landscapes of the human body.” They also state that the “gut microbiota also exerts significant influence on both physical and mental health of an individual.

GUT-BRAIN-AXIS

In another recently published study entitled, “Neurotransmitter Modulation by the Gut Microbiota,” the importance of the gut microbiome to proper function of the nervous system was demonstrated. The researchers’ list of nervous system disorders included “diseases of the central nervous system, including motility disorders, behavioral disorders, neurodegenerative disease, cerebrovascular accidents, and neuroimmune-mediated disorders.”

This impact of the microbiome on the nervous system occurs through what has become know as the “gut-brain-axis.” According to these authors, this connection occurs through different pathways including, “the immune system, the vagus nerve, or by modulation of neuroactive compounds by the microbiota.”

They go on to note that this last reference to “neuroactive compounds” occurs due to the fact that some of these “bacteria have been shown to produce and/or consume a wide range of mammalian neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).” All of these substances assist in transmitting information along the nerve pathways in the body.

They continue: “evidence in animals suggests that manipulation of these neurotransmitters by bacteria may have an impact in host physiology, and preliminary human studies are showing that microbiota-based interventions can also alter neurotransmitter levels.

So, you can see that the intestinal flora, the microbiome, the microbiota, (whichever term that you choose to use) is essential to our overall health and wellness. This includes not only our digestive health as we have known for decades, but also our physical, neurologic, and mental health.

HEALTHY IMMUNE RESPONSE

Let us now take a look at how the microbiome works together with us to support a healthy immune response.
Most invading pathogens (bacteria or viruses) that cause sickness and disease enter our bodies through either oral or nasal pathways. Then, ultimately, they enter our gastrointestinal system or gut.

In a healthy functioning gastrointestinal system with a full complement of good, healthy probiotic microorganisms, we have a normal response to both the “good” microorganisms (the microbiome) that inhabit our gut and the invading pathogenic micro-organisms. The way that relationship should work is for our immune system to tolerate the symbiotic (good) microbiota and allow them to initiate an inflammatory response when they encounter an invading pathogenic microorganism (one that doesn’t belong there). This is a healthy immune response, which is designed to eliminate the invading pathogen.

However, when an imbalance occurs between the symbiotic (good) micro-organisms and the intestinal immune system, the inflammatory response occurs against the GOOD (or symbiotic) microbiota. This leads the gut wall to become compromised. The gut wall’s integrity breaks down, which leads to other disease conditions. These conditions progress as the intestinal flora (the good micro-organisms in the gut) begin to be attacked by the immune system, further disrupting the delicate balance of the relationship between the microbiota and the host.

As this process continues, the wall of the gut is further broken down, and it becomes more permeable and inflamed, leading to conditions that may be familiar to some. These include irritable bowel disease, colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Ultimately, this intestinal breakdown will lead to a myriad of autoimmune conditions as well.

GETTING HELP

The process that I just described ultimately requires us to seek care from a healthcare provider. Ultimately however, the break down process needs to be interrupted, decreasing inflammation in the gut and restoring the integrity of the gut wall. The restoration of the microbiota is also necessary in order to support a healthy immune response.

In order to determine the health and the make up of your microbiome there are multiple testing methods. Some claim to be able to determine the health of the microbiome through salivary or blood testing. However, there may be some weaknesses in these testing methods. The most accurate method at this time appears to be a fecal (stool testing) method.

There are many different suppliers of these tests. We use one lab in the Center for Nutrition and Wellness to do this testing. The test however takes approximately six weeks to complete since it requires propagation of the various microbes, which takes several days to weeks to complete. The lab then generates a report outlining the findings and suggested therapy to restore normal intestinal function. If you would like to pursue this form of testing you can email Kerry at the Center and request a test.

I trust that this series of articles has been helpful in allowing you to gain a further and more in-depth understanding of the function of the microbiome and the importance of this integral component of not only a healthy functioning immune system, but a healthy neurologic system as well.

I will be attempting to bring you more insightful articles this year with the latest research to support your quest to live a Longer Healthier Life.