Gut Dysbiosis

From The Root of Health

Symbiosis translates to 'living in harmony.' Dysbiosis is the opposite, it's when the bad guys take over. It was first identified by Dr. Eli Metchnikoff in the early 20th century, who won a Nobel Prize for his work. It essentially means there is an imbalance of microbial colonies. This is most common in the digestive tract, but can happen anywhere there is an exposed mucous membrane, such as the skin. The bacteria maintain a harmonious balance in a healthy digestive tract by keeping each other in check so no one specific strain can dominate. What happens in a disturbed system is a strain's decreased efficiency at checks and balances. This can result in one colony becoming dominant and one becoming weaker. It instigates a chronic imbalance, debilitates the good guys and compromises our system as a whole. The good guys are imperative. They help us with digestion, absorption, produce vitamins, control growth of harmful microogranisms, and keep the intestinal cells well fed by creating short chain fatty acids. Sometimes we simply need to reinforce the good guys in order to get rid of the bad guys. We can support them a great deal via nutrition and natural supplements. It's one of the first steps you can take to get a healthier GI tract...and healthier skin, stronger immune system, more energy, better moods...the list goes on.

When dysbiosis exists, we may fall prey typically harmless microbes that can lead to serious health concerns. Elizabeth Lipski, PhD cites dysboisis as a cause of arthritis, autoimmune illness, vitamin B deficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome, cystic acne, eczema, food allergies and food sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis and more.

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