Gut Microbiome, The Super Bacteria

The gut microbiome is made up of bacteria that live in your gut. Some of the most common gut organisms are Bacteroids, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. This article will briefly explore your gut microbiome, its importance, and what can off-balance it.

So what is a good gut microbiome?

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The gut microbiome is the ecological community of trillions of microorganisms that live in our gut. It has become increasingly apparent that gut microbiota play a key role as modulators of human health and disease. 

They affect our ability to digest different kinds of food under varying circumstances, such as during infancy or pregnancy. They also affect how we respond to infections and immune challenges and, therefore, influence the risk for autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).

What makes the gut microbiome good bacteria?

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These gut microbes include bacteria and other microorganisms such as fungi and viruses. Good gut microbiomes are genuinely "good" because they help us increase uptake of nutrients into cells, train our immune system to differentiate between "friend" vs. "foe," reduces inflammation and synthesizes enzymes needed for gut nutrient processing.

The gut microbiome protects your body by increasing the uptake of nutrients into cells, training the immune system, reducing inflammation, and synthesizing enzymes needed for gut nutrient processing.

The gut microbiome is considered healthy when more 'good' gut bacteria exist than 'bad' gut bacteria. If you have too many harmful gut bacteria, your body can't properly fight off infections. Why does this matter? Every day the body fights off viruses, foreign cells, parasites, and other harmful things that may enter through our guts or mouths. 

How does Gut Microbiome affect my body?

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The gut microbiome is one member of our gut microflora that affects many aspects of human health. As the number of good bacteria in the gut decreases, pathogens increase.

There are many different reasons why the gut microbiome may become imbalanced. For example, some medications can change the composition of our digestive system. Also, if you are sick with a virus or have an infection, it can impact your gut microbiome.

If the gut microbiome is out of balance, there are some signs that the gut bacteria may be harmful to your body. These include:

• Chronic diarrhea that lasts for more than two weeks
• Constipation that persists for more than three days
• Abdominal pain for more than 24 hours
• Vomiting excessively for longer than 24 hours

When should I see a gastroenterologist?

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You should see a gastroenterologist if you suspect your gut microbiome is off-balance or experience any gut symptoms like pain, indigestion, or fever. They will determine what might be causing any gut problems by using medical tests.

Carolina Digestive can help Keep Your Gut Healthy

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To learn more about gut microbiome and how it affects the rest of your gut health, or if you’d like to be seen by a physician, contact us today. We treat all gastrointestinal issues and disorders with quality, comprehensive care.