Gut Symbiosis versus Dysbiosis
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 & Mayers, 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, 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
- Cardiovascular (heart) disease and stroke
- Obesity
- Joint pain
- Food and other allergies
All autoimmune and autoimmune disorder – 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)
- Gluten craving
- Carbohydrate intolerance
- Skin condition such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, erythema (pathological redness of the skin), allergic dermatitis (skin inflammation) and hives
- Hormonal imbalances
- Nail fungus
- Neurological diseases
- A mental disorder 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