#Man #bacteria #delicate #balance
Although the relationship between humans and microorganisms has been the subject of numerous studies, until recently little attention was paid to the bacteria living in the gastrointestinal tract. Nowadays, thanks to advanced technology, we know that they are the basis of our health.
The symbiosis between humans and intestinal microflora provides both parties with significant benefits and occurs on many levels. It is responsible not only for the proper activity of the digestive, nervous and immune systems, but also for the proper course and regulation of many metabolic processes.
“We are not alone”
Few ecosystems on earth are as complex as the one inside humans. The number of microorganisms found there can be up to ten times greater than the number of all cells in our body. It is an extremely rich and diverse world, with a composition as unique as our fingerprint.
In every ecosystem, individual species constantly compete with each other. The same principles apply to a person’s internal environment. Maintaining proper relationships between individual microorganisms is a guarantee of homeostasis. Symbiotic microorganisms should dominate in the digestive tract – the more of these bacteria, the greater the chances for the proper functioning of our body. “Friendly” bacteria bthey are expanding their territory, not allowing other microorganisms – the “alien and bad” ones – to receptors on the surface of the intestinal epithelium. They also produce lactic acid and bactericidal substances, creating unfavorable conditions for pathogens to develop.
Biochemical communication
The intestinal microflora constantly communicates with each other and transmits important information. It can also conduct a molecular dialogue with host cells. It provides humans with many enzymes and metabolic pathways, thanks to the wealth of unique genes. This network of connections, created as a result of thousands of years of evolution, creates a complex, interactive system on which the proper course of numerous biological processes depends. In short, it determines our health or disease.
A strong foundation
Our relationship with the ecosystem is symbiotic – we provide our own microflora with shelter and food, and in return it serves us in many ways:
- regulates the structure and functions of the intestinal barrier
- takes part in the production of B vitamins, vitamin K, enzymes supporting the digestion and absorption process (e.g. lactase)
- affects biochemical pathways, enabling the regulation of appetite and the levels of glucose and insulin in the blood
- inhibits the growth of microorganisms capable of transforming potentially carcinogenic compounds into carcinogens, reduces the activity of enzymes involved in cancer processes
- plays an important role in “training” the immune system – through constant contact with friendly bacteria, the immune system learns to function properly
- may affect the child’s psychomotor development and mood, memory and general well-being in later years
Recovery program – a healthy alternative Intestinal microflora is a rich and very dynamic ecosystem that changes throughout a person’s life, with a constant strive to maintain balance. All factors that reduce the population of “friendly” bacteria or facilitate the growth of the pathogenic population initiate inflammatory pathways that can lead to the development of many disease processes. Therefore, returning to a healthy environment in the intestinal ecosystem is the key to health. What should our strategy be?
Step one – restart
In this phase, an appropriate “substrate” must be prepared for the development of microflora. It turns out that our eating habits mainly determine which type of bacteria will dominate in the ecosystem. The standard Western diet, low in fiber and rich in fatty, sweet, highly processed products, is enemy number one. The biodiversity of intestinal microflora decreases significantly, and these changes may occur even within 24 hours after this type of meal. Excess protein in the diet, especially of animal origin, is also unfavorable – it stimulates the development of proteolytic microorganisms that produce toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds. Disturbances in the intestinal ecosystem may cause an increase in inflammation parameters, the development of insulin resistance with all metabolic consequences such as diabetes, lipid metabolism disorders, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. Therefore, it is worth changing your diet – it will help you stop the progression of dysbiosis, restart your metabolism and reduce inflammation in the body. It will be helpful to supplement your diet with ingredients such as: garlic, chlorophyll, Oregano Oil, grape seed extract or mangosteen.
Step two – revitalization
The next step is to strengthen and diversify the intestinal ecosystem. It’s time to switch on multi-strain probioticsi.e. live bacterial strains that create optimal conditions for the regeneration of one’s own, unique intestinal microflora. Probiotics, like the physiological intestinal flora, act at various levels of the digestive tract – most often they are active in the lumen of the digestive tract, within the intestinal epithelium and the immune system. The effect of a probiotic can be enhanced by administering it together with prebioticThese are nutrients resistant to digestive enzymes that support the development of beneficial intestinal bacteria, essential for health, and are a source of energy for intestinal epithelial cells. The intestinal microflora obtains the energy necessary for survival mainly from carbohydrates. Most simple sugars are absorbed in the small intestine and therefore do not reach the large intestine, where approximately 90% of microorganisms live. Including inulin, for example, in the diet, which is broken down in the final sections of the digestive tract, is a delicacy and ideal fuel for friendly intestinal microbes. In addition, prebiotics influence the secretion of satiety hormones and prevent excessive appetite.
Step three – balance
This is a long-term lifestyle change – creating an optimal plan that will serve us throughout our lives. It’s really worth it!
Diseases that may be caused by intestinal dysbiosis: :
- recurrent infections
- allergic diseases
- non-specific intestinal inflammation
- atopic dermatitis
- autoimmune diseases
- autism spectrum disorders, depression
- overweight/obese
- metabolic syndrome
Features of a good probiotic:
- contains the appropriate number of living cells
- has the ability to survive and metabolize in the intestine
- remains viable during storage and use
- is resistant to hydrochloric acid and bile
- has the ability to attach to the intestinal epithelium and colonize the digestive tract
- produces antimicrobial substances
- has an excellent safety profile
bow. med. Małgorzata Miktus
