The bacteria in the microbiome help digest our food, regulate our immune system, protect against other bacteria that cause disease, and produce vitamins including B vitamins B12, thiamine and riboflavin, and Vitamin K, which is needed for blood coagulation. The bacteria living in and on us are not invaders but beneficial colonizers. Autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia are associated with dysfunction in the microbiome. Disease-causing microbes accumulate over time, changing gene activity and metabolic processes and resulting in an abnormal immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Autoimmune diseases appear to be passed in families not by DNA inheritance but by inheriting the family\u2019s microbiome. [2<\/a><\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n A person\u2019s microbiome may influence their susceptibility to infectious diseases and contribute to chronic illnesses of the gastrointestinal system like Crohn\u2019s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Some collections of microbes determine how a person responds to a drug treatment. The microbiome of the mother may affect the health of her children. Researchers mapping the human microbiome are discovering previously uncharted species and genes. Genetic studies that measure the relative abundance of different species in the human microbiome have linked various combinations of microbe species to certain human health conditions. A more complete understanding of the diversity of microbes in the human microbiome could lead to new therapies, perhaps treating a bacterial infection caused by a \u201cbad\u201d bacteria by growing more \u201cgood\u201d bacteria. [3<\/em><\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Humans have evolved to live with microbes for millions of years. In fact, without the gut microbiome, it would be very difficult to survive. The gut microbiome begins to affect your body the moment you are born. You are first exposed to microbes when you pass through your mother\u2019s birth canal. However, new evidence suggests that babies may come in contact with some microbes while inside the womb (<\/a>4<\/a><\/em>). As you grow, your gut microbiome begins to diversify, meaning it starts to contain many different types of microbial species. Higher microbiome diversity is considered good for your health (5<\/a><\/em>). Interestingly, the food you eat affects the diversity of your gut bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As your microbiome grows, it affects your body in a number of ways, including<\/p>\n\n\n\n Helping to regulate brain health: New research suggests that the gut microbiome may also affect the central nervous system, which controls brain function. (9<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGut health\u201d describes the function and balance of bacteria in the many parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Ideally, organs such as the esophagus, stomach and intestines all work together to allow us to eat and digest food without discomfort. All food is ultimately broken down in the gut to a simple form that can enter the bloodstream and be delivered as nutrients throughout our bodies. This is only possible with a healthy digestive system. The incredible complexity of the gut and its importance to our overall health is a topic of increasing research in the medical community. According to Dr. E. M. Quigley, in his study<\/a> on gut bacteria in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, having a wide variety of these good bacteria in your gut can enhance your immune system function, improve symptoms of depression, help combat obesity, and provide numerous other benefits. Many facets of modern life such as high stress levels, too little sleep, eating<\/a><\/em> processed and high-sugar foods, and taking antibiotics can all damage our gut microbiome. This in turn may affect other aspects of our health, such as the brain, heart, immune system, skin, weight, hormone levels, ability to absorb nutrients, and even the development of cancer<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are some tell-tale signs of an imbalance or unhealthy gut:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several factors that influence gut microbiota:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Metabolic health<\/a><\/em> is described as having ideal levels of blood sugar, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference, without using medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Metabolic syndrome, refers to a group of conditions that occur simultaneously, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blood glucose is a source of energy for all tissues in the body. Its levels are controlled by a complex interplay of hormones in response to different conditions, such as food intake and exercise. For example, when blood glucose dips too low, the liver releases a stored form of glucose called glycogen and it can also use amino acids to produce glucose if necessary. Glucose metabolism begins with the ingestion and digestion of carbohydrates. After the carbohydrates are completely broken down, what is left are the simple sugars: Fructose, Glucose and Galactose. Fructose comes from vegetables and fruits, while Galactose comes from dairy. Glucose sugars come from grains. Knowing where these simple sugars come from is not as important as knowing this; When Fructose and Galactose combine they make Glucose. When we measure our blood sugar, we are measuring the glucose serum in our blood. The liver is the principal site of glucose deposition after glucose feeding, while muscle and adipose tissue represent relatively minor sites of disposal of ingested glucose. This stored form of glucose is made up of many connected glucose molecules and is called glycogen. When the body needs a quick boost of energy or when the body isn’t getting glucose from food, glycogen is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream to be used as fuel for the cells. (13<\/a><\/em>)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Changes in the gut microbiome are associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes, conditions that involve an impaired ability to maintain proper glucose levels in the blood. (14)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Diet and exercise can change the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota. Dysbiosis can contribute to an increase in circulating and tissue resident microbial components, which can promote inflammation-induced insulin resistance. Conversely, other microbes or bacterial components can confer metabolic benefits to the host. The relationship between microbes and host metabolism is bidirectional: microbes can influence host blood glucose, but glucose levels can influence the microbiota and host response\/outcomes to specific bacteria. (<\/a>15<\/a><\/em>)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Normally, your digestive system breaks down the foods you eat into sugar. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that helps sugar enter your cells to be used as fuel. In people with insulin resistance, cells don’t respond normally to insulin and glucose can’t enter the cells as easily. As a result, your blood sugar levels rise even as your body churns out more and more insulin to try to lower your blood sugar. Insulin resistance can be promoted by gut inflammation. (14<\/a><\/em>) Researchers have since shown that TNF-alpha\u2014and, more generally, inflammation\u2014activates and increases the expression of several proteins that suppress insulin-signaling pathways, making the human body less responsive to insulin and increasing the risk for insulin resistance. (16)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies<\/em><\/a> suggest that the gut microbiome modulates glucose homeostasis through peripheral serotonin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some microbes help protect us from weight gain and obesity by strengthening the gut lining and maintaining healthy metabolic markers. Akkermansia muciniphila<\/em> munches on the mucus that covers your gut lining, which encourages the intestinal barrier to produce more. This makes it stronger and thicker, preventing unwanted metabolites and toxins from entering the body that would trigger an immune response and inflammation.This bacterium is more abundant in lean people and less abundant in patients with obesity. Studies indicate that Akkermansia can help the body control sugar and fat metabolism, both of which are an issue in overweight and obesity. Managing how much glucose enters your bloodstream is important. When you have healthy levels, your body uses it as energy and you don\u2019t put on weight. But when there\u2019s too much, insulin tells the cells to store all the extra in your fat cells \u2014 and they\u2019re usually around the waist. A balanced gut microbiome is linked to healthy weight. It\u2019s probably because they maintain the gut lining, ensure appetite hormones are working correctly, and because a balanced diet with lots of plant fibers has less refined sugars and fats that encourage weight gain. (17<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies in mice \u2014 and preliminary work in humans \u2014 suggest that microbes can trigger or alter the course of conditions such as Parkinson\u2019s disease, autism spectrum disorder and more. Therapies aimed at tweaking the microbiome could help to prevent or treat these diseases, an idea that some researchers and companies are already testing in human clinical trials. A strain of Eschercihia coli <\/em>makes a protein called culri, <\/em>which can prompt other proteins to misfold. Some researchers suspect that these misfolded proteins transmit the error up the vagus nerve <\/a><\/em>to the brain, where misfolded proteins are linked to disease symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The bacterium Akkermancia Muciniphila <\/em>makes a protein called nicotinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, that seems to travel to the brain and improve symptoms of motor neuron diseases in mice models. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies in mice suggest that infection in pregnancy can set off a cascade of activity. In the mother\u2019s gut, segmented filamentous bacteria stimulate T-helper 17 cells which are part of the immune system. They produce immune molecules that travel to the fetus\u2019s brain and provoke autism-like behaviour. (18<\/a><\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gut bacteria<\/a> <\/em>can generate neuroactive compounds. In fact, it is known to make 90% of our neurotransmitter serotonin, which regulates our emotions. Conversely, the brain can transmit signals to the gastrointestinal system, for instance, to stimulate or suppress digestion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A growing body of research suggests that the wrong balance of gut bacteria can cause harm beyond your gut, playing a role in conditions as different as arthritis<\/a><\/em>, obesity<\/a><\/em>, and depression<\/a><\/em>. It also appears to affect your blood vessels. In fact, chemicals or processes related to gut bacteria have been tied to a higher risk of heart failure<\/a><\/em>, atherosclerosis<\/a><\/em> (plaque buildup in arteries), and major cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke, notes a review of studies published in March 2020 in the journal Microbiome<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three recent studies<\/a><\/em> <\/a>prove that changes in the composition of gut microbiota associated with disease, referred to as dysbiosis, have been linked to pathologies such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gut Microbiome<\/a><\/em> & inflammation<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Numerous studies have linked the gut microbiota to inflammatory diseases. Forbes et al. (2018)<\/a><\/em> have demonstrated that the immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn\u2019s disease<\/a><\/em>, ulcerative colitis<\/a><\/em>, multiple sclerosis<\/a><\/em>, and rheumatoid arthritis<\/a><\/em>, change the composition of the gut microbiota. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies<\/a><\/em> suggest that understanding the role of macrophages<\/a><\/em> in gut microbiota-inflammation interactions might offer new ways of preventing and treating inflammatory diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have leaky gut syndrome, it affects other aspects of your health as well. Your gut is lined by a wall, which is similar to a net with small holes in them. These small holes act as filters and enable the passage of certain substances only. It acts as a shield to keep out the bigger, harmful substances from entering your body. Lymphocytes flank the small intestine, fostering direct connection between the immune system and the gut. When someone has a \u2018leaky gut\u2019, it means that the gut lining is damaged and cannot optimally function as a barrier any longer. The smaller holes become larger and allow harmful substances like gluten, bad bacteria, and undigested food particles to enter your system and cause considerable damage to health. The lymphocytes respond by triggering systemic inflammatory processes.The leaky gut <\/a><\/em>can cause widespread inflammation and possibly elicit a reaction from the immune system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research<\/a><\/em> suggests that hyperglycemia elevates intestinal permeability and facilitates enteric infections and systemic inflammation, triggering the leaky gut response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are 4 main reasons for the leaky gut syndrome: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What is gut health? Balanced vs Imbalanced Gut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat is metabolic health? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gut microbiome & glucose metabolism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gut microbes influence blood glucose levels by acting directly on the liver, not by regulating the energy expenditure of specialized fat tissues, which use glucose as fuel to create heat, according to a study in mice by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian investigators. The findings suggest<\/a><\/em> modifying gut microbes may provide a new approach, which involves establishing a healthy host-bacteria relationship to managing blood glucose levels in people with diabetes and metabolic disorders. The new evidence also clarifies the scientific debate about the connection between communities of bacteria living in the intestinal tract, called the gut microbiome, and energy expenditure. The gut microbiota has emerged as an environmental factor that modulates the host’s energy balance. It increases the host’s ability to harvest energy from the digested food, and produces metabolites and microbial products such as short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and lipopolysaccharides<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGut Microbiome & weight gain <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gut Microbiome & brain health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gut Microbiome & heart health <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Causes Leaky Gut Syndrome?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to improve gut health?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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