Gut Feeling?

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When I taught Anatomy and Physiology, my students were amazed when I told them that we had active infections in our body- colonies of microbes in our gut.  And, these colonies  truly were responsible for the digestion of most of our foods- and the rendering of many vitamins available for our use.

Microbiome

Recent reports identified three robust clusters (or combinations) of microbial populations that are present in our guts- that are not related to our nation of origin.  Under the stewardship of Drs. Ehrlich and Bork, the MetaHIT consortium (multitudes of European institutions), these results were reported in Nature;  this data bolsters and extends the hypothesis that our gut microbiota may be as identifiable as fingerprints.

Research is also suggesting that babies born via Caesarean section (C-section) are being denied the ability to acquire microbiota from their mothers (the birth canal is ripe with microbiological specimens).  These researchers suggest this may be the reason for the increased prevalence of food allergies and asthma around the world.  This data is not yet complete, however.

Additional research demonstrates the ability of our gut microbes to work in concert with our nervous system (and, therefore, the immune system) to tamp down our inflammatory responses.  For example, under the direction of Drs. Heijtz and Petterson, research indicates that anxiety, ADHD, and brain activity are the result of different microbiota in the gut.  Another research group, under the direction of Drs. Bienenstock and Cryan, found that Lactobaccili (a gut microbe) affects brain chemistry via the vagus nerve and, therefore, affects stress, depression, and anxiety (in mice; human studies have not yet begun).

Researchers are also seeking the identity of organisms within us that can be manufactured and sold as “probiotics”, thereby improving our health.  Others are “transplanting” biota to treat illnesses such as Crohn’s, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, among others (some of which seemingly have no merit).

It has become prevalent enough to have defined terminology- fecal transplantation (transplantation of gut microbiota).  The most common reason to effect these transplants is to treat infections of Clostridium difficle,  a potentially fatal disease that is becoming way too prevalent in the world.   This transplant process has become prevalent enough to merit the publication of transplantation guidelines.

This is way different than ingesting yoghurt with active cultures, to maintain our balance- especially when taking antibiotics.  My gut feeling is that this is just the beginning.

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14 thoughts on “Gut Feeling?”

  1. Well, I’m grateful that this isn’t my line of work… 😉

    But, if it’s saving lives—then I’m equally glad it’s happening. I’ll head back to the “occupy” posts now! 😀

  2. Very Interesting, Roy! I guess this must be some kind of very resistant bacteria considering the large amount of antibiotics people consume.
    Maybe, somewhere in the future, we will see bacteria farms providing altenative medicine for the common people.

  3. Hah last line but it is interesting that again when the gut is off then so much else is off too. Will keep on eye on developments here. Thanks Roy for the share on this. You do have a most diverse background

  4. Wow Roy, What a post”! Had to digest it all in laymens terms, even though I was brought up in a medical family.

    I had a c-section with my 2nd son and he does have lots of allergies, ear nose and throat issues too. Curious about more of this study.

    Interesting facts that you provide and I thank you for that.
    Cindy

  5. Hi, Elise:
    I know that yoghurt is a very good item to add to one’s diet- the real kind with active cultures.   Many of the synthetic probiotics are just plain usesess.
    This is a fascinaating new area for study.  My first foray was the removal of theze biota for bowel surgery (and, eventually, colonoscopy)- to insure that there was no risk for infection from these microbes.
    Roy

  6. Gustavo:
    It’s part,y due to the fact that folks terminate their course of treatment prior to the recommended period- that the microbes can mutate and then infect another. It’s partly due to the dumping of leftover (see above) antibiotics in the trash and sewers where additional mutational events are afforded.  It’s partially due to our proclivity to feed antibiotics to livestock and fish to ‘help them grow’.
    We have met the enemy- it is us!
    Roy

  7. Pingback: Anti-antibiotics |

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