The Human fermentation Chamber – by Dr Sanien de Beer
There is a saying – “you are as healthy as your gut”. The gut is an easily neglected yet ever important part of human anatomy, physiology and pathology. It is easily influenced by a variety of things – which will be discussed. If the gut is well functioning, one is hardly aware of it – however as soon as it is not, it can cause agony.
Dysbiosis can be defined as the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in the intestine. When looking at the causes and consequences of it, one can get a better understanding of the functioning of the colon – and what to do to ensure that it keep functioning optimally. The adult human intestinal tract is estimated to contain up to 10 times more bacteria than the number of cells that is inside the body. Intestinal micro flora represents an ecosystem of the highest complexity and the colon can also be described as a bacteriological fermentation chamber.
Two types of bacteria are present in the intestinal tract.
Putrefactive bacteria with the most common species being Escherichia coli, also referred to as coliform bacteria. These bacteria produce a number of toxic substances including indole and skatole. “Friendly” or Lacto bacteria which primarily produce lactic acid, acetic acid, digestive enzymes, short chain fatty acids and vitamins B and K. The two bests know and perhaps the most important species of Lacto bacteria are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteruim bifidus. Both Anaerobia and Aerobic Species are found Anaerobic Bacteria (not needing oxygen) include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacteruim bifidus, Clostridium, Bacteriodes and Eubacteruim.Aerobic Species (needing oxygen) include E coli, Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Klebsiella.
Some causes of Dysbiosis
The delicate intestinal balance is maintained by homeostasis. Some of the factors that can affect the balance of micro flora include: antibiotic use stress diet and hyperchloridia – too little stomach acid. When looking into more depth at each of these factors one quickly realizes that they are inter related. It is not possible to address one, and neglect the other.
Antibiotic Use
Antibiotics save lives – we are grateful for it and there are times when we need to take it. However the problem comes in with overuse of antibiotics and anti biotic resistance emerging as a result of antibiotic abuse. The dosage, length of administration and spectrum of activity of the specific antibiotic will determine the impact on microbial flora. Penicillin seems to have little effect on intestinal microbes. The use of broad spectrum antibiotics will disrupt the ecology of the gut in a more profound way as Lactobacilli and Bifiduim are very vulnerable to it.
Stress
Stress may affect bacterial growth by significantly reducing the mucosal production of mucopolysaccharides and mucins, which are important for inhibiting the adherence of pathogenic organisms. The stress hormones stimulate the growth of certain pathological species – especially gram-negative bacteria. Gut functioning is under the control of the para sympathetic nervous system, which is dormant during periods of acute and chronic stress. Chronic stress also reduces blood flow to the gut leaving it unable to optimally maintain and repair itself.
Diet
Some diets promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms, while others promote the multiplication of harmful bacteria. High protein diets result in high concentrations of potential harmful metabolites e.g. ammonia, amines, phenols, sulphides and branched fatty acids due to the fermentation of undigested protein. High simple sugar/carbohydrate diets have a slow transit time which increase bacterial activity resulting in increased exposure time to potentially toxic bowel contents. The role of sufficient soluble and insoluble fibre is essential
Hypochloridia
Hypocloridia, especially if accompanied by chronic gastritis, can also result in dysbiosis. Bacterial overgrowth in the intestines may often begin to resolve naturally with the re-establishment of normal stomach acid production. Apart from using Betaine HCL supplementation, this process can also be accelerated by the use of plants/ herbs with anti microbial properties. This can help to eliminate existing overgrowth of putrefactive bacteria and to replace it with lactic acid dominating flora.
The Consequences of Dysbiosis
Overgrown pathogenic bacteria produce toxins and compounds that are very detrimentalto intestinal cells. As a result, it can be expected that atrophy of the gastric mucosa and consequent bacterial over growth in the small intestines would have a combined effect on intestinal permeability.This can have many consequences on health and quality of life. Food allergies and intolerances can damage the gut by causing inflammation,resulting in altered permeability of the intestinal wall (also referred to as leaky gut syndrome) Carrier systems that normally transport nutrients through the intestinal wall are less active in damaged or inflamed mucosal cells, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Allergies and auto-immune reactions can develop as a result of increased gut permeability as large undigested food molecules pass into the tissues. The immune system recognizes these molecules as foreign and raises antibodies against them. Chronic activation (inflammation) of the immune system can often be present in auto immune conditions e.g. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) and System Lupus Erythromatosis (SLE). Another controversial consequence of dysbiosis is Candida infections. Mucosal colonization by Candida Albicans and other yeasts are indeed very common whenever intestinal overgrowth of these fungi occurs. As a result, this can trigger an inflammatory response in the mucosa, which if not resolved, could give rise to a chronic inflammatory condition. Among the pathologies that develop following intestinal dysbiosis, the most frequent is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). This is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort along with signs of bowel dysfunction, most commonly diarrhea and/or constipation. IBS is believed to be the result of inappropriate and chronic activation of the mucosal immune system. The causes of this activation are suspected to be multi factorial.
Research on types of Bacteria
Obese and lean individuals have radically different profiles of bacteria in their guts. When the obese volunteers went on a one-year diet and lost up to one-quarter of their bodyweight, their bacterial profiles changed to look more like those of the lean people.The theory, based on studies in mice, is that part of the propensity to gain weight might lie in 'obesity-causing' bacteria in the gut that release more calories from food than those found in lean people. Researchers hope to gain further insight into how this happens by comparing the microbial genes in thin and fat people. Each person carries a complex mix of perhaps a few thousand bacterial species, and too little is known to make sweeping generalizations about the implications of the different gut types. There is strength in numbers - some biologists regard a human as a 'super organism' — a community that adds up to more than the sum of its parts. The synergy between the different types of Bacterial Species should also not beunderestimated. Supporting your “fermentation chamber”
Prebiotics are food ingredients that stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria, including the lacto bacteria. They are not digested in the stomach or upper intestines, but reach the large intestines to feed the beneficial bacteria there. Harmful bacteria that may also be in the colon cannot use prebiotics. Research studies, which include clinical trials, show that prebiotics can strengthen the immune system because of their stimulating effect on the beneficial bacteria in the colon. Prebiotics are abundant in cruciferous and sulphur containing vegetables. Probiotics are live microbial food ingredients that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on a host. (WHO/FAO 2002). Many different types of probiotics are commercially available and it is best to consult with a Health Care Practitioner before taking it – as long term use are not recommended. Pro biotics occurs abundantly in certain types of fermented foods e.g. Sauer kraut and kefir but is also available in powders or capsules. The human natural evolved relationship with bacteria is almost certainly out of the balance nature intended. Impaired bowel function and unbalanced bowel flora may lead to intestinal toxemia. Improper diet and bowel evacuation may cause the replacement of normal bowel flora by more harmful bacteria which also results in intestinal toxemia. There is speculation that this can lead to auto intoxication – which may be one of the root causes the many new and rapidly growing 21st century diseases.
