Written by Shreya Sharma
Why are microorganisms an essential for our digestive health and other vital bodily processes? How can your diet put you at risk for mental and physical health issues? Read this article to learn more.
Recently, words like “kombucha” and “probiotics” have been flooding health food stores. Not only has gut health been a point of interest in science, but in media as well. With the arrival of all of these new drinks and supplements, it can be difficult to understand the true role and value of the bacteria that live within the gut.
The “gut microbiome” consists of trillions of microorganisms, as well as their genetic material. These microorganisms, primarily bacteria, are essential for digestive health as they absorb and synthesize nutrients. Furthermore, they are involved in various other vital bodily processes, including body weight regulation, metabolism, immunity, brain functioning, and mood. The gut microbiome is influenced by many external factors such as stress, diet and medications, environment, and age. Comorbid diseases, which are two or more concurrent illnesses that can both become worse as they interact within the body, also affect the gut microbiome.
Furthermore, the method of delivery (vaginal or cesarean) as well as infantile feeding (breastfeeding or bottle feeding) can also play a role in gut health development. Studies suggest that while in the womb, the gut begins to populate with bacteria. Genetics, both the child's as well as the parents, can dictate which species of bacteria will flourish and grow.
Throughout an individual’s life, the bacteria can continue to be affected by various factors, and although most people fall into certain “enterotypes”, or classifications based on the bacteriological ecosystem of the gut, each person remains unique.
Everyone carries out their days in different environments and habits. Predictably, this translates to microbiomes that differ even between biologically-related family members. Due to this, it is difficult to dictate what exactly a “healthy” gut microbiome is.
However, in a general sense, a healthy gut will possess a barrier that can effectively protect itself and its contents, such as undigested particles, toxins, and microbiota, from leaving the digestive tract and entering the bloodstream. Beyond this, a healthy gut microbiome should be able to support other bodily functions, such as immune responses against infection, and nutrient synthesis.
In certain situations, disturbances can result in the gut microbiome becoming unbalanced. Excessive weight gain, stress, poor diet, illness and antibiotic overuse can all cause this.
Above all, diet is the most influential, yet modifiable, factor that can alter the bacterial composition within the digestive system. The condition of bacterial imbalance in the gut is known as dysbiosis.
A diet consisting of mainly processed, energy-dense foods, emulsified and artificial sweeteners can compromise the inner barrier, and weakening of this barrier can cause small food or bacterial particles to escape to the bloodstream.
This phenomenon is informally known as “Leaky Gut”, and research suggests that this can play a role in the development of various diseases.
Leaky Gut causes continuous activation of the immune system, and the subsequent inflammation puts the individual at risk for physical and mental health issues.
Evidence suggests that there are many ways that an individual can help their gut microbiome flourish and function optimally. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, are essential for overall health and wellness, but also contribute to microbiota development. Antibiotic-usage frequency also plays a role in gut health. While the gut microbiome is much more complex than a bottle of kombucha suggests, simple lifestyle changes can make a positive lifelong impact.
References
Thursby, E., & Juge, N. (2017, May 16). Introduction to the human gut microbiota.
Retrieved August 28, 2020, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433529/
Young, C. (2016, July 04). What is the Gut Microbiome? Retrieved August 20, 2020, from
https://foodandmoodcentre.com.au/2016/07/what-is-the-gut-microbiome/