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).