What is the Gut Microbiome Made up of?
The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms that reside in the intestinal tract. Although mainly bacteria, there are also some fungi, viruses and protozoa. We have developed a mutually beneficial relationship with our microbes that function together in an ecosystem.
The key role of bacteria is to help with digestion and absorption of nutrients. They are also involved in regulating mood, metabolism and body weight. A healthy interaction between your immune system and the gut microbiome is critical for the maintenance of your body’s homeostasis and health. Imbalances in the gut microbiome may deregulate immune responses and lead to the development of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune dysfunctions.
What Affects the Health of the Gut Microbiome?
Your unique bacterial footprint depends on your genes, whether you had a natural or caesarean birth and whether you were breast or bottle fed. As you grow, other factors will influence the health of your gut microbiome. These include stress, illness, medications and your diet. Your gut microbiome doesn’t thrive on a diet high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, processed foods or one that is low in fibre. Your gut bacteria need fibre to feed them! Other irritants that may compromise your gut microbiome and lead to leaky gut are gluten, alcohol, caffeine and some spices.
What is Dysbiosis?
Dysbiosis occurs when your inner ecosystem becomes imbalanced and you end up with more ‘bad’ microbes than ‘good’. This can come about through overuse of antibiotics, eating a poor quality diet, illness or ongoing stress. Other triggers of dysbiosis include a lack of enzymes, too little stomach acid, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, foods that you are sensitive too and too little fibre. Too many of the ‘bad’ bacteria can result in inflammation, leading to leaky gut and problems in other body systems. Many diseases have dysbiosis as an underlying root cause.
What is the Solution?
The key is to find out what’s happening to your ecosystem. A comprehensive stool test is helpful in determining whether you are digesting and absorbing your nutrients and whether you have an overgrowth or are deficiency in certain microbes. It may tell you if you have an infection and/or whether you may be at risk for food sensitivities. In addition, you could do an elimination diet or Food and Environmental Sensitivity hair test to establish what foods are irritating your system.
On the diet front you could avoid foods that are known to irritate the gut. Introduce fermentable fibres (kumara, pumpkin, leeks, onions, garlic, jerusalem artichokes, yams, dandelion greens) and resistant starch (potatoes, grains, legumes, green bananas, cashews, raw oats and other grains) to feed your bugs, if you tolerate these.
Importantly, manage your stress. When we are stressed, your body doesn’t focus on digestion, since it’s priority is keeping you safe. If you aren’t digesting your food, it will lead to gut issues and most likely a leaky gut. Looking at what you feed your emotions since it is just as important as what you feed your ecosystem.
The good news is that we can do something to improve the health of our microbiome by making good food choices, eating organic where possible, eating variety, enough fibre and clean filtered drinking water. Your microbiome will love you for it. If you would like to book in for a comprehensive stool test or hair test, please contact me on 021807498.
