The Role of the Gut Microbiome and Immunity
Did you know, there are over 100 trillion microbes that live in or on us (about 1,000 different species!) which include many bacteria and some yeast. These microbes reside in our gut, skin, mucus membranes, upper respiratory tract and lower genital-urinary tract. When these 100 trillion microbes are in the correct amount, they have an extremely beneficial relationship with us.
When we are born our guts are aseptic, in fact, we get our first mouthful of beneficial flora (HOPEFULLY) from our mother’s vaginal canal and skin contact. Colostrum from mother’s breast milk (NOT FORMULA) allows for the colonization (growth) of these beneficial microbes in the infant. Overgrowths of beneficial microbes cause many problems in the digestive tract known as dysbiosis or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Functions of the Gut Flora
Via fermentation the Gut Flora produces Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA’s) = Post-biotics (aka Butyrate, Acetate, Propionate). These SCFA’s have many important functions including:
• Primary energy source for gut cells
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-carcinogenic
• Regulate Immune System, poor Gut Flora is a huge trigger to auto immune disease.
In addition to producing Short Chain Fatty Acids, the Gut Flora keeps our gut barrier healthy by crowding out potentially pathogenic organisms. The Gut Flora also functions in synthesizing Vitamin B Complex, converting Vitamin K1 Vitamin K2, removing toxins that we ingest (including medications), regulating fat burning and digestion/absorption of nutrients. In addition, the Gut Flora helps remove excess histamine from the body, aids in converting Glutamate GABA (calming neurotransmitter), regulates motility of bowels, removes cholesterol and used up hormones, increases concentration of pyruvic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, and malic acid (all are used for energy production in the mitochondria), and “jump starts” the immune systems development in infants.
Definitions to Avoid Confusion
• Prebiotics: non-digestible fibers used by beneficial microbes to ferment.
• Probiotic: live microorganisms that can provide benefits to human health.
• Postbiotics: short chain fatty acids produced by probiotics via fermentation.
• Symbiotic: pre and probiotic together.
Causes of Low Gut Flora
• C-section birth (5% in 1970 31% in 2010)
• Not breast fed
• Poor maternal health
• Antibiotics (medication and food)
• Poor gut pH (hypochlorhydria)
• Proton Pump Inhibitors, Antacids, Immunosuppressant Drugs
• Poor Diet (lack of fiber, low fruit, low vegetable diversity and excess alcohol)
• Hormone Imbalances
• Poor Brain-Gut Connection
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