Before talking about Gut Dysbiosis, let's focus on the definition and meaning of a healthy Gut Microbiome.
The gut microbiome, as defined by molecular biologist Joshua Lederberg, is the totality of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi, and their collective genetic material present in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
In other words, it refers to the amount of microorganisms diversity present in Your gut.
Is this important?
Yes. Surprisingly as it may sound, 70% of Your immune system resides in the gut.
The gut is in charge not only of absorption and digestion but also it is important for immune system education (among all the other functions).
What do we mean by immune system education?
The gastrointestinal system is in contact with the outside, this makes it one of the first line of defence from harmful pathogens.
Not only that, from the moment You are born Your gut start to be colonised by wanted microorganisms. These microorganisms are in charge to protect You from those harmful pathogens and help You absorb food, remove toxins, and maintain overall wellbeing.
You could think, how come these wanted microorganisms are not rejected by Your immune system? This is because they are recognised as self. Once this happens they are not destroyed.
As a matter of fact, healthy gut microbiome prevents damage of the intestinal lining and inflammation.
In this way, You make sure what's brought from outside stays in Your gut, and any unwanted pathogens get destroyed.
In this way, Your body gets rid of harmful toxins. As a consequence, Your liver will benefit from a healthy gut. Fewer toxins around, fewer problems for Your body.
Many studies are liking Autoimmune, Metabolic and Hormonal diseases with Gut dysbiosis.
Gut microbiome dysbiosis results from alterations of composition and function of the gut microbiome and disruption of gut barrier function.
The Gut is no longer capable to exert its physiological function causing: gastrointestinal symptoms (ie constipation, bloating, stomach pain etc), liver intoxication, skin disorders (acne, psoriasis, rashes etc), and others.
This can be the trigger to Autoimmune Diseases. As gut lining gets destroyed all molecules You wanted to keep in the intestine will flow around and activate the immune system. Not only that, the immune system will be most likely to make some errors and begins to target Your own cells, marking the origin of Autoimmune Diseases.
Therefore, if You were to understand what caused dysbiosis, You can work on it and reverse
Your Autoimmune disease.
What about the Liver?
We must not forget the liver. As a consequence of Gut disturbances, Your body will accumulate toxins. These toxins will accumulate in Your liver, increasing and promoting the likelihood of Autoimmune Diseases.
Coming back to gut dysbiosis, there are 5 types:
Insufficient good bacteria (mild form)
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
Immunosuppressive Dysbiosis (usually responsible for Leaky Gut due to yeast infections)
Inflammatory Dysbiosis (giving not only digestive but also muscular and joints symptoms)
Parasites (can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. In the last case, they can manifest as allergies and hives)
To summerise:
Harmful microorganisms can alter Your gut microbiome leading to gut dysbiosis. Some of the events leading to dysbiosis can be:
Low stomach acid
Gastrointestinal infection and surgery
Eating a standard American diet or an otherwise unhealthy diet
Weak immune system due to diet, stress and hormonal imbalances
Use of antibiotics without probiotics
Improper Gut microbiome growth from childhood
Once diagnosed or suspect Autoimmune Diseases, improving Your gut microflora can improve and reverse Your condition. It will certainly improve Your symptoms and help You feel better.