Our microbiome exists in an oxygen free environment deep within our bodies so it is very difficult to observe and understand exactly how our gut bacteria interact with each other and with the rest of our body. Much of what is known is based on studies measuring key physiological and psychological indicators during a controlled experiment to determine the impact of a particular diet, pre-biotic or probiotic. These studies have made it clear that enhancements of the microbiome have a clear and reasonably rapid impact on both physical and mental disorders ranging from colitis and irritable bowel syndrome to mood swings and even autism spectrum disorders.
Human studies have been constrained by the protocols that govern human tests but similar and far more extensive tests on specially bred mice have strongly validated the interaction between a healthy (or un-healthy) microbiome and our physical and mental well being. These studies have extended our understanding of just how extensive an impact the microbiome has on specific physical and mental ailments. While there are clearly huge differences between the physiology and psychology of mice and men, the results have stimulated world-wide research into exactly how our microbiome and our bodies interact and just which human ailments can be better addressed through the management and maintenance of our microbiome rather than more common medications.
Although we do not yet fully understand all of the interactions of the micro biome with our body, some of the basics are clear. When the gut bacteria break down dietary fiber they produce a variety of by-products. Some of these by-products nourish other members of the gut community who in turn produce other by-products. In the end, the process produces short chain fatty acids, carbohydrates and other chemicals – some of which are toxic. The carbohydrates are used by the body to maintain the mucous barrier that coats the inside of the gut to limit the passage of bacteria and harmful chemicals through the gut wall and into the body. The short chain fatty acids pass through the gut wall and are converted by the body into energy and a wide range of substances that modulate our physical and mental health.
When everything works right the micro biome provides powerful positive support to our physical and mental health and an ongoing boost to our immune system. However, if the micro biome is weakened through insufficient nutrition or overwhelmed by “bad” bacteria it can create serious problems. Our gut bacteria prefer to eat the complex carbohydrates in dietary fiber but if there isn’t enough available then they will turn to the carbohydrates in the gut’s mucous lining for survival. The resulting breakdown of the mucous membrane compromises the barrier and produces a condition called “leaky gut”. This condition allows bacteria and toxic chemicals to move through the gut wall and into the body where they are confronted by our immune system. Suddenly, these normally helpful bacteria and their byproducts are seen as invaders that are attacked by the immune system. These encounters teach our immune system to remember the DNA of both the bacteria and their byproducts as belonging to hostile invaders that need to be attacked and eliminated.
The problem is that many of the byproducts produced by these bacteria have been used as building blocks in vital systems and organs throughout our bodies. Our joint linings, circulatory system, vital organs and even our brains contain fragments of compounds with DNA markers that our immune systems have just learned signal hostile invaders. The process of trying to root out these compounds leads our immune systems to attack our own organs and the whole phenomena of “auto-immune” diseases. The resulting inflammation and our body’s efforts to deal with it accounts for most of the Western Ailments the plague our society and drive up our health care costs.
The literature is full of studies and examples where Autism Spectrum Disorders, auto-immune diseases, obesity, gastric problems, etc. have been successfully been helped or cured by a program of re-building and rehabilitating the micro biome. Even though we don’t have all of the answers on exactly how the micro biome and our bodies interact there is no question about whether the interaction exists. In the future we may know enough to tailor our micr biome to treat specific ailments or conditions but we aren’t there yet. What we know today is that people with well nourished and diverse micro biomes and healthy gut linings live longer and healthier lives.