Your Gut Microbiome 
Key to Health

Contextualizing the Gut Microbiome

The gut microbiome is a community of trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) in your intestines. It is often referred to as the 6th vital organ, for its essential role in digestion, immunity, metabolism, and even mental health. When the microbiome becomes imbalanced, it can contribute to a wide range of health issues, from gastrointestinal disorders to metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. As research continues to advance, microbiome-based treatments have the potential to revolutionize healthcare and reshape the management of chronic diseases.

Why It’s Essential

Breaks down fiber and complex carbs
Gut bacteria help digest foods that your body can’t, producing metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids that support gut health.
Vitamin production
Gut microbes make essential vitamins like B12, K, and B9.
Bile metabolism
Helps digest fats and maintain cholesterol balance.

Trains immune cells
The gut microbiome helps the immune system recognize harmful invaders. The gut is the largest immune system organ, containing up to 80% of one’s immune cells.

Protects from infections
Healthy microbes outcompete harmful bacteria.
Regulates hunger and blood sugar
Gut bacteria help control hormones that affect appetite and energy balance.
Links to metabolic diseases
Dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut microbes) is linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Gut -Brain Axis
Gut microbes influence the nervous system via the gut-brain axis, a network of nerves, neurons, and neurotransmitters in the GI tract. Some bacteria produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which communicate with the brain.

Positive and Negative Effects
Bacterial pr Bacterial products, such as short-chain fatty acids, can have positive effects, while toxins may damage nerves.

What’s Next?

Ongoing research is exploring the gut microbiome’s role in neurological, behavioral, nerve pain, and mood disorders.

The Dangers of an Unhealthy Gut Microbiome (Dysbiosis)

When the microbiome is out of balance, it can lead to:

NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Parkinson’s
Alzheimer’s

cardiovascular diseases

Hypertension
Atherosclerosis

metabolic diseases

Obesity
Diabetes
NON-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Colorectal Cancer
Irritable Bowl Syndrome

INFECTIONS

Recurrent C. Difficile Infections

Microbiome-Based Interventions: A New Frontier

Emerging research shows that restoring balance in the microbiome can treat, manage and prevent a range of human diseases including gastrointestinal, metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative. As a starting point, it’s essential to have clinically useful diagnostics matched with effective microbiome-based-interventions. 

The Dangers of Imbalance (Dysbiosis)

When the microbiome is out of balance, it can lead to:

    • Digestive disorders: Such as IBD and IBS.
    • Infections: Recurrent C. difficile infections.
    • Chronic diseases: Including obesity, diabetes, and neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s.

Microbiome-Based Interventions: A New Frontier

Emerging research shows that restoring balance in the microbiome can treat, manage and prevent a range of human diseases including gastrointestinal, metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative. As a starting point, it’s essential to have clinically useful diagnostics matched with effective microbiome-based-interventions. 

NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Parkinson’s
Alzheimer’s

cardiovascular diseases

Hypertension
Atherosclerosis

metabolic diseases

Obesity
Diabetes
NON-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Colorectal Cancer

CDC “Health & Economic Costs of Chronic Diseases”