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Digestive Microbiome

Microbiome refers to naturally and unnaturally occurring bacteria such as viruses and fungi that are found in our bodies. Those that are common and naturally found are referred to as the normal flora. The unnatural or harmful microbiomes can cause problems and sickness while the desirable are needed for good gut health.

Dysbiosis refers to the unbalancing of the normal microbiome found in our guts. This can be caused by the deficit (loss) of the normal healthy bacteria needed for proper digestion, OR by the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria within our digestive systems, OR the loss of biodiversity of the bacteria.

Within our digestive system we have a between 300 and 1000 different kinds of bacteria. The bacteria of your digestive system is unique to you. The array and diversity of your bacteria began with the exposure to your mothers bacteria in the birth process and nursing. The greater the diversity of healthy flora you have, the healthier you are consider to be. Interestingly, our lifestyle and diet will influence the microbiome makeup. For example, a diet that is high in sugar and fat will cause the bacterial make up of the digestive system to shift to favor that kind of diet. While a diet that favors natural, healthy choices will favor a bacterial make up to correspond to that kind of diet. It is thought that the stomach can influence our cravings due to the type of bacteria based on our normal food choices. Other influences on bacterial makeup that play a role in intestinal microbiome diversity are chemical exposure, disease causing organisms and bowel movement frequency.

Research has shown that the microbiome of healthy people differ from that of those that have disease. This has become a hot topic with the research community. People that are sick have either too much or too little of certain microbes.

Scientists have begun to make a connection between diseases and the gut microbes. This includes disease like obesity, Type II diabetes and heart disease. Research is still going on to understand the microbiome connection to diseases like IBS, Crohn’s and Ulcerative colitis.

Our gut microbiomes affect the systems of the body. Research is showing how our immune system works and how our bodies respond to infections. Studies also show that gut microbes have an influence on the central nervous system that controls brain function. For example, 80-90% of serotonin is produced in the gut. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with mood, cognition, learning, memory and other body functions. Lower serotonin levels are associated with depression.

As mentioned before, different microbes prefer different whole foods. These help to produce products that nourish the gut and lower the pH which favors the more beneficial microbes. On the other hand a diet that is contains: high processed foods, foods high in sugar, and foods with saturated fats tends to help the less favorable microbes. Highly processed foods, foods devoid of vitamins and minerals or low fiber, which often come with additives and preservatives can be harming your good normal flora. By consuming a less favorable diet your chances of developing cardiovascular problems, stroke and Type II diabetes increase.

The human microbiome is also affected by our  nvironment. Chemicals such as environmental toxins, alcohol, tobacco smoke and pollutants can destroy the microbiomes as well. Pesticides and antibiotics can wipe out the good bacteria along with the bad. It is important to limit our exposure to these harmful substances in our environment.

Our bodies can usually recover from a short duration of an exposure to one of these harmful substances. For example, antibiotic use may be necessary to destroy unwanted bacteria in the system but at the same time destroy the normal flora of the body. Long exposure to the harmful substance may prevent certain healthy microbes from being able to grow and thrive. Eliminating the health microbes can allow the unhealthy to thrive and grow and over power the remaining healthy leading to disease. Thankfully our Creator designed our bodies to heal.

How quickly your food processes through the digestive system will determine gut health. If food goes through too quickly (diarrhea) the healthy microbes may be wash out and not have time to do their appointed work. Too slow of digestion and stagnation of bowel movements may give the microbes too much time to work leading to overgrow of bad microbes and their spread to other parts of the digestive tract. It is important that your bowel movements are regular and daily.

Research shows that an unhealthy gut microbe makeup shifts negatively for people that eat highly processed foods, red meat, dairy and eggs. To keep healthy gut microbiomes one should increase their intake of unprocessed foods, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole grains. On the other hand, individuals that eat highly processed foods, red meat and bacon, foods high in sugar and low in fiber may have a detrimental effect on the digestive system. Even processed plant-based foods have been shown to diminish gut health such as sauces, baked beans, juices, sugar sweetened drinks and desserts. Therefore to promote healthy microbes make healthy choices.

Based on research taken from the internet and the lecture
“Our Amazing Microbiome” given by Hugo Leon, MD
at Village SDA Church on September 27, 2024

Legislation updates:

No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act.

Status: Passed the House and is now in the Senate.

• This Act would require any convention agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response reached by the World Health Assembly (WHA) to be subject to Senate ratification.
• Former President Trump supported withdrawal from the World Health Organization(WHO) due to the mishandling of the Covid pandemic and Chinese influence . He threatened withdrawal of US funding.
• President Biden reversed Trump’s action.
• Passing of the bill would limit the WHO from influencing US policy and would require all treaties from the WHO to go through the House and Senate for approval before being presented to the president to sign.

Multi-Bean Salad

For Salad:
2 cups Cut fresh or frozen green beans (cooked and cooled)*
1 can Garbanzo (chickpeas)*
1 can Kidney beans*
1 can Black or green olives, sliced
1 medium Onion, chopped
1⁄2 Red pepper, chopped

For Dressing:
1⁄2 cup Lemon juice
1⁄4 - 1⁄2 cup Olive oil
3-4 Finely chopped garlic cloves
1-2 T Sweeten to taste: Agava, cane sugar crystals, honey, etc.
Salt to taste
Mix salad dressing ingredient together and pore over the salad. Mix gently.

*may substitute or add to salad with:
cannellini beans, red beans, navy beans, black beans, butter beans, pinto beans, lima beans, parsley