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The Critical Functions of the Gut Microbiome


By Katy Firisin, ND


our health? A microbiome is a colony or ecosystem of diverse bacteria where the bacteria perform specifi c functions in a symbiotic environment. Theses colonies of microorganisms contain a diverse popu- lation of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. The human body has several of these systems of bacteria on the skin, in the mouth, the mammary glands, the vagina, and the gut. Each is biodiverse and carries out critical functions related to its niche in human health and function.


W


The Gut microbiome is the most dense of all of the human microbiomes. There are trillions of bacteria in our gut, outnumber- ing our own human cells by a factor of 10 and collectively these microorganisms weigh up to 2 kilograms. Within our gut, there are at least three separate microbi- omes increasing in numbers and species from the stomach to the large intestine. Ad- ditionally, different bacteria can be found in the intestinal wall than what is found in the lumen, or inside, of the intestine and then excreted in the stool.


The composition of the microbiome be-


gins at birth when the baby passes through the vaginal canal during delivery. The gastrointestinal tract of a baby at the time of birth is virtually sterile. As the baby passes through the birth canal, the mother passes critical bacteria to the baby that will begin to colonize both on the skin and internally. Research has shown that there is a direct correlation between the microbes we inherit from our mothers and our adult microbes. We acquire microbes from our mother through skin to skin contact, through nurs- ing and breast milk. A recent study showed that babies born via Cesarean section have decreased diversity of microbes similar to


26 Natural Nutmeg - March 2020


hat is a microbiome? And why is this daunting biological term important to understanding


that seen with the effects of antibiotics. This difference is still seen at 6 months and gradual maturation was stagnant compared to that of vaginally delivered infants.


As the baby develops there are other internal and external environmental fac- tors that infl uence the evolution of the gut microbiota. Food, transition from breast milk to formulas, food introductions, environ- mental temperature and pH infl uences, drug therapies and antibiotic exposures, and en- vironmental toxins infl uence the maturation and diversifi cation of the gut microbiome. Research is only scratching the surface of the different roles the gut microbiome has in the function of the body. Gut microbes have a greater capacity to code for genes than human beings and therefore carry out func- tions that the human body cannot carry out on its own. We are literally dependent upon these microbes to live.


Food Digestion


Gut microbes are responsible for mak- ing certain vitamins, synthesizing amino acids, both essential and non-essential, and are part of the physiological process of making bile, necessary to digest fats. Other necessary functions involve the digestion and transformation of carbohydrates, sugars and alcohols. The metabolism of carbohy- drates by microbes provides one of the main energy sources for the gut itself.


Bowel Function Irritable Bowel Disease and other au-


toimmune bowel diseases like Crohn’s Dis- ease and Ulcerative colitis have been linked to large abnormalities in the diversity of the gut microbes. Nearly 10-20% of adults and adolescents are affected by Irritable Bowel Disease. Autoimmune disease has been linked to environmental exposure to things such as smoking, pesticides and mercury found in vaccines until recently. The exact


mechanism of dysbiosis with autoimmune disease is not yet known, however, all of these environmental substances are known to damage the gut microbiome.


Immune Function


By producing more good bacteria, the gut microbiomes prevent colonization of harmful bacteria. A bit like an intestinal turf war, the more good bacteria we have, the less room there is for the bad bacteria to move in and get comfortable. Given that our gut is the only internal system of our body that comes in direct contact with the outside world, it would stand to reason that the gut has to be a major part of our immune func- tion and fi rst line defense.


Dysregulation of gut bacteria has been


linked to chronic illness, allergies and autoimmune disease. A 2014 article in Integrative Medicine states that the intestinal microbes stimulate and train the propor- tionate responses of the immune system, therefore any alterations to the development of the microbiome early in life can lead to an inadequately trained and overactive immune system. Researchers at the Henry Ford Hospital found that babies born via Cesarean section were more likely to have asthma and food allergies, both indicative of a dysregulated immune system.


Obesity and Diabetes The composition of microbes in obese


individuals has been shown to be altered when compared to individuals of normal weight. Additionally, the population of mi- crobes varies and changes with changes in weight. When studied, individuals with Type 2 Diabetes showed a decline in specifi c species of microbes. Current research is also looking at the response of microbes to exer- cise and may play a role in sports nutrition and peak performance.


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