Dysbiosis and Leaky Gut – Microbiome – Part 2

Dear Friends: 

Regarding other areas of gut health and balance, there are two major phyla of gut bacteria— aerobes and anaerobes, with variable ratios depending on the individual with from 500-1100 sub-species identified.

As with any life forms occupying the same ecosystem, bacterial species in our gut can compete with each other for dominance.

 If unfavorable imbalances of various forms of bacteria are dominant within our microbiota it is called “dysbiosis”.  

Dysbiosis in the microbiome has been associated with the potential generation of numerous diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes (types 1 and 2), allergies, asthma, autism, and cancer. 

If dysbiosis is coupled with breakdowns in the protective and the absorptive gut membrane lining in the small and large intestines, this can lead to a  popularly known condition known as “leaky gut” syndrome.

The leaky gut syndrome is a condition also referred to as increased intestinal permeability where the protective net in your digestive tract, acting as a selective filter,  gets damaged or weakened.

Now comes the cascade of events that allows proteins (like gluten), bad bacteria, and undigested particles to pass into your bloodstream. These particles can cause systemic inflammation, allergies and immune reactions over time. 

The gatekeepers of this gut interface between the gut and absorption into the host body,  are the billions of tiny projections called villi and microvilli. 

The purpose of the villi and microvilli is actually to enormously increase the surface area for nutrient absorption.

For illustrative purposes, a 20-foot tube or so of the small intestines expands to a surface area of approximately 2200 square feet as a result of the additional surface area brought by the villi and microvilli.

If the villi are damaged or impaired, nutrient absorption becomes adversely affected as well as its ability to be a protective barrier.

 Large intestines do not have villi, but goblet cells that secrete mucus and houses the majority of the microbiome in a little sac portion near the junction of the small intestines with the large intestines called the cecum.

The sac-like cecum at the beginning juncture of the large intestines and end of the small intestines contains most of our gut bacteria and other nutrients.

Its is a remarkable yet simple structure that contains most of the bacteria which act as a biological chemistry factory with all the remarkable, bioactive substances and short-chain fatty acid manufacturing from soluble fiber ( or prebiotics) so essential for our health.

We are now in a process of greater enlightenment to better understand how to better care for our gut as well as identifying specific bacteria to carry out more specific functions in the administration of various probiotics and other forms of unique prebiotics that help to support the health and healing of our villi.  

As helpful and remarkable are the many kinds of probiotics, from this author’s perspective, probably the most significant nutrition factor for gut bacteria and its health and microbiome balance, is an adequate amount of prebiotic or soluble fiber.

The gut bacteria breakdown the soluble fiber into amazing high octane fatty acids that help heal the gut, fight disease, help in glucose metabolism, and have gut anti-cancer capabilities. 

Although there is no dietary reference intake for insoluble or soluble fiber, many experts recommend a total dietary fiber intake of 25 to 30 grams per day with about one-fourth — 6 to 8 grams per day — coming from soluble fiber.

As I emphasize in my recommendations, a diet abundant in a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds, is of course the best primary sources of fiber and antioxidants before amplifying and enhancing with dietary fiber and prebiotic supplements.