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| GI, Gut Flora |
The gastrointestinal tract depends heavily upon the
bacterial flora for a number of important functions. The two primary bacteria,
at least from a metabolic standpoint, residing in the GUT tract are the
lactobacilli, also known as acidophilus, and the bifid bacilli. The processes
these bacteria are involved in are digestion, detoxification, and de-conjugation.
When a disruption occurs in the numbers of bacteria present or in their
function, this is referred to as "dysbiosis."
Digestion is the process whereby food products are broken
down into their smaller molecular weight components. The purpose of digestion
is to present to the intestine food products which are sufficiently small as to
be more easily absorbed. Since the GUT flora plays a role in digestion, they
have an impact on absorption; meaning that, if digestion does not properly
occur, neither will absorption.
The result can mean that the food products that
are delivered to the intestine for absorption are larger than they should be,
so that the molecules being absorbed are larger, leading to the intestines and
the body recognizing the food molecules as foreign. This is one of the
scenarios of altered intestinal permeability, also known as the so-called
"leaky GI syndrome."
Detoxification is the process whereby the intestines break
down substances that are not needed by the body, and which, in some cases, can
be harmful, as in the case of pesticides and other chemicals. The end result of
detoxification would be elimination. As such, for proper detoxification and
elimination to occur, the presence of normal amounts of properly functioning
bacteria is essential.
De-conjugation is the process whereby certain substances are
metabolized and chemically modified in the GUT tract, which are later
re-absorbed.
A number of substances are handled by the GI tract in this manner,
including medications and estrogen. In the case of estrogen, a specialized
process, known as the Enterohepatic circulation, occurs, which allows estrogen
to be recycled, in a sense. The GUT flora participates in this process in the
very important step of de-conjugation. If this step does not occur, the
absorption of medication, estrogen, and other important substances cannot
properly occur.
Another important function of the GI flora is the production
of Butyric acid. Butyric acid is the substance used by the colon as its primary
energy source. This would make Butyric acid essential for proper function of
the colon. As it happens, the GUT flora produce Butyric acid from undigested,
or insoluble, fiber that reaches the colon. As such, a source of fiber is
important in order for the bacterial flora to participate in this step so very
important to the colon. It is important that this fiber be insoluble fiber, and
is best obtained from the diet from vegetables and legumes than from grains.
The mere presence of these bacteria in the GI tract is not
enough.
They must also be provided the nutrients and other substances they
require for their own sustenance and function. The preferred fuel for the GUT
flora is a class of chemicals known as the fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), which
must be provided if the GI flora is to thrive. Supplements of FOS can be taken,
and they are also found in the following foods: -onion, asparagus, rye,
bananas, and other less well-known foods to include burdock root, Jerusalem
artichoke, and Chinese chive.
The term "dysbiosis" is used to refer to an
alteration in the numbers or function of the gastrointestinal flora. Such an
alteration can lead to changes in digestion, absorption, detoxification, and
elimination, the results of which can lead to changes in our health. Not only
can illness result from improper digestion and absorption, but the imbalance of
bacteria itself can result in the overproduction of chemicals by the altered bacterial
flora, Giving rise to toxic and metabolic disturbances from these chemicals.
The direct cause of an imbalance if GUT flora is not always
known, but it is felt to occur in a variety of circumstances, includes
antibiotic use, stress, improper diet, and improper GI motility. A number of
medical and surgical conditions are also included.
It is for this reason that, if an alteration in GUT flora
has occurred, it must be corrected, and, once it is corrected, it must be
maintained.
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