How poor gut health results in diseases

Gut Health and Diseases 

There are several key elements for optimum health, and gut health is cornerstone. Recent research implicates a healthy gut, which includes a well-diversified microbiome, with good health and a lower risk of diseases, especially metabolic diseases as type 2 diabetes and obesity.  So, what is the correlation between gut health and development of these diseases? 

Dysbiosis of Gut microbiome 

When your gut microbiome is balanced, homeostasis, it performs efficiently and you get maximum benefits. However, when it falls out of balance, dysbiosis, there is an increased risk for development of diseases. Let's have a closer look. 

Autoimmune diseases: The majority of our immune system resides in the gut (around 70-80%). Any deviation or imbalance can result in what is termed as a leaky gut. Just like the name suggests, a leaky gut allows resident microorganisms, that are normally harmless, entry into the bloodstream where they trigger inflammation and causing autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. 

Mental Health: The gut is often referred to as our second brain. Many neurotransmitters that influence mood are produced in the gut. For instance, serotonin is primarily produced in the gut (around 95%). Serotonin regulates mood, sleep, appetite, sex, and many other body functions. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome negatively affects production of serotonin resulting in mental health issues and diseases such as depression, anxiety, and mania. 

Metabolic disorders: There are several studies that have suggested a link between dysbiosis with metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. The gut microbiome influences digestion and energy/calories extraction and storage from food. Intestinal bacteria break down fibre into short chain fatty acids that play an important role in energy metabolism. 

Any imbalance in the gut microbiome affects efficiency of energy metabolism and storage resulting in metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and diabetes.  

Bacteria in the gut breaks down fibre into short chain fatty acids such as butyrate. One of the functions of butyrate is improving insulin sensitivity. Dysbiosis results in deficiency of butyrate which can result in insulin resistance leading to development of type 2 diabetes. 

Imbalance in the gut microbiome has also been implicated in development of obesity. Dysbiosis impairs metabolism resulting in increased fat storage and weight gain. Another explanation is disruption in metabolic hormones produced in the gut. These hormones influence key functions such as appetite and satiety. Additionally, a leaky gut results in inflammation a precursor for fat accumulation, cascading to overweight and obesity and subsequent metabolic diseases.  

Chronic inflammation: Dysbiosis results in fewer beneficial microbiomes in the gut and more pro-inflammatory microbiomes that trigger immune reactions causing chronic inflammation-hallmark for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and arthritis.  

Pro-inflammatory microbiomes inflame the gut lining resulting in a leaky gut where resident microbiomes move into the blood stream, infiltrating other organs causing inflammation and diseases.