When the body and those pounds of non-human microbes living inside our guts (the gut microbiome), are in harmony, we are in SYMBIOSIS: a balanced, mutually beneficial relationship between us and those several hundred species of alien bugs. The gut, brain, and the rest of the body are in balance – in health, free from disease.
In return for a pleasant home, these friendly organisms in our guts (often referred to as our old friends) allow us to thrive by:
Absorbing and assimilating nutrients from the foods we eat
Producing important biological chemicals like serotonin and dopamine (needed for brain function)
Synthesizing vitamins
Producing energy
Protecting us from carcinogenic and otherwise harmful chemicals
Detoxifying the body
Inhibiting and killing off harmful bacteria and other nasty bugs
Maintaining a healthy immune system
Providing a protective coating on the bowel walls
Promoting normal peristaltic action in the bowel to keep us regular
And much more
But when, as happens too often, the harmonious relationship between the body and the large colony of bacteria, yeasts, viruses, parasites, etc living in our guts becomes out of balance, we are in DYSBIOSIS: A disruption or skewing of the constant two-way communication between gut & body. Pathogenic bacteria, fungi or parasites can then easily proliferate, throwing the system out of balance. When the imbalance crosses a threshold, the body initiates disease (dis-ease) conditions. (Epidemic Answers, 2013) (Byron Body & Soul, 2009)
DYSBIOSIS RESULTS FROM MANY CAUSES (Hawrelak & Myers, 2004), INCLUDING :
Antibiotics – medications as well as antibiotics fed to animals we eat
A poor, nutrient deficient diet
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically engineered (GE) foods
The body’s pH becoming too acidic
Infants born via C section birth
Infant formula instead of breast milk
Prolonged stress
Chronic illness
Birth control pills/ hormone replacement therapy
Chemotherapy
Other pharmaceuticals
Carcinogens in foods, the environment, cosmetics
A SAMPLING OF PROBLEMS DYSBIOSIS CAUSES OR HAS A ROLE IN (Diagnose-me.com, 2013) (Morris, 2011) (Wikipedia, 2013):
Digestive issues, including irritable bowel syndrome or disease (IBS and IBD), Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, gut strictures, bloating, belching, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, bad breath, abdominal pain, indigestion, colic, lactose intolerance
Gum disease and tooth decay (See also SUPER IMMUNITY)
Cardiovascular (heart) disease and stroke
Obesity
Joint pain
Food and other allergies
All autoimmune and autoimmune-related disorders – over 80 of them – including asthma, Addison’s disease, celiac disease, dermatomyositis, eczema, Graves disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, sprue, systemic lupus, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, multiple chemical sensitivity and type I diabetes
Yeast infections, local and systemic (eg, Candida albicans)
Urinary tract infections
Low libido
ADD and ADHD
Impaired mental functioning/ brain fog
Sugar cravings (including alcohol)
Carbohydrate intolerance
Skin conditions – such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, erythema (pathological redness of the skin), allergic dermatitis (skin inflammation) and hives
Hormonal imbalances
Nail fungus
Neurological diseases
Mental disorders – such as depression and anxiety; conditions along the autistic spectrum, including autism and Asperger syndrome; schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Pulmonary diseases
Alzheimer’s
Colon and breast cancers
REFERENCES
Byron Body & Soul. (2009). Symbiosis or Disbiosis? See http://www.byronbodyandsoul.com/top/regular-columms/naturopathy-with-sue-kira/symbiosis-or-dysbiosis/p/123
Diagnose-me.com. (Nov. 1 2013). Bacterial Dysbiosis. See http://www.diagnose-me.com/symptoms-of/bacterial-dysbiosis.html
Epidemic Answers. (2013). Gut Dysbiosis. See http://www.epidemicanswers.org/epidemic/biological-dysfunction/gut-dysbiosis/
Hawrelak, J A & Myers, S P. (2004). The Causes of Intestinal Dysbiosis: A Review. Alternative Medicine Review. 9:2.
Morris, M. (2011) The Root of Health, Dysbiosis. See http://www.therootofhealth.com/dysbiosis/
Wikipedia. (November 16 2013). Gut Flora. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gut_flora
A version of this page content will appear in my forthcoming 2014 Oriental Medicine Journal article THE MICROBIOTA-GUT-BRAIN AXIS: The constant two-way communication between our guts and our brains.
© Copyright 2013-2014 Joan Rothchild Hardin. All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this site or blog is intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.