When Your Gut Bugs Go Awry
Written by Dr. Suzanne Tang
March 5, 2023
If you had a chance to read my first newsletter, “The Way to your Health is through your Gut”, you may recall that the gut microbiome is the community of microorganisms that primarily reside in the large intestine and significantly impact our health. Bacteria in the gut is constantly communicating with neurons in the brain, which is why the gut microbiome is also known as the “second brain.”
What exactly does a healthy microbiome do for our health?
Supports immune function and prevents colds and flus
Protects against pathogens like harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses
Produces hormones and neurotransmitters, such as serotonin
Aids digestion
Extracts energy and nutrients from food, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids
Digests fiber, which aids in gut motility
Regulates appetite and body weight
Reduces inflammation
Repairs damaged tissues and injuries
Controls mood, motivation and cognition
Regulates blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure
The microbiome and its health-enhancing homeostatic functions can go awry when there is dysbiosis, or an overgrowth of harmful bugs in the gut, coupled with suboptimal levels of healthy bugs, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. Antibiotic use, the standard American diet, contaminated food and chronic stress can contribute to overgrowth of harmful bacteria and deplete healthy bacteria.
Dysbiosis has been linked to numerous digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, small intestinal bowel overgrowth and acid reflux. Gastrointestinal symptoms of frequent gas, bloating, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain are often tell-tale signs of dysbiosis. However, the following signs and symptoms may also be associated with poor gut health and microbiome imbalance:
Acne, rashes, eczema and psoriasis
Frequent colds, flu and other infections
Stuffy nose and respiratory infections
Allergies and asthma
Fatigue and poor focus and concentration
Joint and muscular inflammation or pain
Food intolerances
Urinary tract and/or vaginal infections
Unexplained weight changes
Sugar cravings
Anxiety and/or depression
I regularly assess patients for dysbiosis with comprehensive stool analysis testing, which measures “good” and “bad” bacteria, parasitic infections, digestion, inflammation, and absorption, often finding imbalances that can be effectively treated with naturopathic therapies. These recommendations may include antimicrobial herbs, gut restorative nutrients, stress reduction, healthy diet and prebiotic and probiotic supplements. To see if comprehensive digestive function testing is right for you, please contact one of my practice locations, OC Whole Family Wellness or Magnolia Wellness to schedule an appointment with me.
Interested in more “digestible” gut health info? Stay tuned for Part 3 and 4 of my healthy gut newsletter series!
Yours in Wellness,
Dr. Suzanne Tang, ND, LAc
www.inspirenaturalwellness.net
OC Whole Family Wellness
Magnolia Wellness OC
