What is Gut Dysbiosis?

What is dysbiosis?

Dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the gut microbiome, where there is an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and a decrease in beneficial bacteria.

The gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. These microorganisms play a vital role in various bodily functions, such as digestion, nutrient absorption, immune system regulation, and even mental health.

When the balance between the different types of microorganisms is disrupted, dysbiosis occurs.

To restore gut health, it is important to understand the symptoms and causes of dysbiosis.

Dysbiosis is the altered state of micro-organisms in the intestinal environment or microbiome, which can lead to intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome.

What Causes Dysbiosis?

Changes in your microbiome can result in dysbiosis, as the microbiome plays a key role in the cause of a variety of chronic and degenerative diseases.

Dysbiosis or an increase in pathogenic bacterial overgrowth has been linked to chronic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Many factors have all been linked to the cause of intestinal dysbiosis. There are several factors that can contribute to dysbiosis, this includes:

• Poor dietary choices, such as a high intake of processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut.

• Chronic stress, lack of sleep, and certain medications like antibiotics can also negatively impact the gut microbiome.

• Environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins and pollutants, can further disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome.

• Viral and bacterial infections and/or parasitical infestations

• Chemicals and environmental toxins

• Psychological, physical, mental and emotional stress

• Pharmaceutical medications - Antibiotics (even when used for as little as one day), and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID’s)

• Hypochlorhydria or insufficient digestive enzyme production, and imbalances in short and long-chain fatty acids can all contribute to bacterial overgrowth in the small and/or large intestines.

  Hydrochloric acid, which is secreted by the stomach's parietal cells, is responsible for food digestion but has also been shown to kill pathogenic bacteria.

• Impaired intestinal motility and peristalsis, and a dysfunctional ileocecal valve

• Diet and lifestyle, inadequate fibre intake, and drug and alcohol consumption

• Trauma and surgery

Dysbiosis and Leaky Gut

Dysbiosis is closely correlated with Intestinal permeability, which refers to the integrity of the mucous membrane of your intestinal tract.

This means that the intestinal microvilli have become damaged and increasingly porous, resulting in inflammation of the intestinal lining.

As a result, large molecules from partially digested foods and pathogenic microbes (toxins) are allowed to pass through the intestinal barrier into the blood and lymphatic system of your body.

High levels of toxic stress and the overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and yeasts can place an unhealthy load on your organs of elimination (intestines, liver, kidneys, lungs, skin) and immune system, which has been associated with the development of chronic disease.

Dysbiosis and Stress

It has been discovered that psychological stress causes a significant decrease in mucin production and a decrease in the presence of acidic mucopolysaccharides on the mucosal surface, which are important in preventing pathogenic organisms from adhering to the gut mucosa. [1,2]

Common Causes of Gastrointestinal Distress include:

• Food Reactions - allergies, food sensitivities and intolerances

• Infections - viral, parasitical and bacterial infections

• Environmental toxins

• Medications - pain killers, antibiotics, aluminium hydroxide based antacids, proton pump inhibitors

• Extreme exercise

• Abdominal surgery

• Nutritional insufficiencies and poor diet

Dysbiosis and Detoxification

Dysbiosis, bacterial overgrowth, and intestinal permeability are all clear clinical indicators of increased toxicity and inadequate detoxification. 

Proper detoxication of the body is dependent on the function of several systems, which include many organs, for your body to function properly. This includes the following:

• The gastrointestinal tract (liver and bowels)

• Respiratory system (lungs)

• The Kidneys (urinary system)

• System of lymph nodes

• Skin

Each of these systems and organs is dependent on the other in order for your body to function properly and maintain homoeostasis.

Dysbiosis Symptoms

Dysbiosis and bacterial overgrowth can cause megaloblastic anaemia, weight loss, malnutrition, diarrhoea, constipation, bowel cramping, flatulence, bloating, and chronic joint pain.

Dysbiosis Diagnosis and Treatment

A digestive analysis and comprehensive bacteriology studies are important diagnostic tools when there is a strong suspicion of dysbiosis and bacterial overgrowth.

Furthermore, parasitology, measuring urinary bacterial metabolites, and breath testing may all be useful in the diagnosis.

Would You Like to Resolve the Cause of Your Dysbiosis? Request a Call Back

DR ALAIN FRABOTTA is a highly qualified and experienced integrative chiropractor and functional medicine naturopathic doctor in Sydney since 1995.

With a specific interest in the treatment, prevention, and management of complex chronic diseases, such as digestive disorders and gut health.

Alain provides a holistic, person-centred, multidisciplinary, solution-focused, results-driven approach.

He integrates chiropractic, naturopathic and functional medicine, nutrition, counselling, and coaching to help you bridge the gap between your physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Alain is the leading integrative chiropractic and functional medicine naturopathic doctor in Sydney who wants to help you achieve your health and well-being goals as well as reach your full potential in life.

He is also dedicated to providing you with a personalised, targeted treatment approach that employs functional and genomic assessments to diagnose and optimise your health, well-being, and performance.

Learn more about DR ALAIN FRABOTTA

The Importance of a Healthy Microbiome

The microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract is thought to be composed of over 50 genera of bacteria, accounting for over 500 different species. [3,4,5]

The microbiome is important for immune system stimulation, vitamin synthesis, GIT motility and function, digestion and nutrient absorption, pathogen inhibition, metabolism of plant compounds and drugs, and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and polyamines. [3,6,7]

The Worst Foods For Gut Health

The Western diet is changing our gut bacteria and putting us at a higher risk for illness and disease.

The 5 worst foods to imbalance the bacteria in the gut as well as affect the function of your immune, hormonal and central nervous systems, include:

1. Refined Carbohydrates and Sugars

A high intake of sugar can promote the growth of bad bacteria and reduce numbers of good bacteria. This imbalance can lead to disease, inflammation and adverse food reactions.

2. High Animal Protein

High consumption of animal-based proteins can also lead to an overpopulation of harmful bacteria, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and inflammatory bowel diseases.

3. Saturated Fats

A high intake of saturated fatty acids reduces the richness and diversity of gut bacteria. This can contribute to an imbalance of gut bacteria, gut inflammation and intestinal barrier alterations.

4. High Salt

A high intake of salt could stimulate the growth of pathogenic bacteria to the detriment of beneficial bacteria, leading to potential alterations of the intestinal barrier.

5. Food Additives

The use of food additives such as non-nutritive sweeteners and emulsifiers in processed foods can modify the composition, movement and function of the gut microbiota, causing inflammation, glucose intolerance, allergies and metabolic disease.

Foods that Promote Gut Health - The Best Foods For Gut Health

1. Gut Health and Probiotics

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth and activity of bacteria, which can have a beneficial effect on gut health.

Prebiotics can reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disorders, including infectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bowel overgrowth (SIBO), and allergic food intolerance.

2. Gut Health and Dietary Fibres

Dietary fibres are resistant to digestion in the small intestine, so the large intestine can help form short-chain fatty acids and in the removal of wastes.

3. Gut Health and Polyphenols

Plant polyphenols are found in plant foods and help prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and other health issues.

Polyphenols are typically found in coloured fruit and vegetables that can influence your microbiome.

4. Gut Health and Healthy Fats

Monounsaturated fats sourced from olive oil, nuts and seeds and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria and increase the production of anti-inflammatory compounds.

How To Improve Gut Health?

The Mediterranean diet is high in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, legumes, and whole grains, with a larger portion of plant proteins than animal proteins.

Research shows that a Mediterranean diet supports disease prevention, promotes a diversity of micro-organisms in the gut and supports anti-inflammatory activity.

What Next? Read: How To Improve Your Gut Health - An Expert Guide

Supplements for Gut Health. Natural ingredients to help restore gut health

A combination of prebiotic fibres, glutamine, zinc, aloe vera, turmeric and slippery elm provides targeted support for balanced microbiota composition and healthy gut function.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or feedback