Dysbiosis? Say what?

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Within the GI tract resides the human microbiome. This microbiome hosts approximately 100 trillion microorganisms from various bacteria and yeast.  These microbes play a role in balancing and regulating the immune function, allow for the prevention of harmful organisms to overgrow and the ability to regulate bowel motility.  

When the microbiome is balanced and has a healthy level of good bacteria, then it is considered symbiotic.  However, when there is a disruption of organisms in the gut with a decrease in diversity of the microbes, or a loss of beneficial microbes allowing for pathogenic bacteria to come in and overgrow – we would have what is called a dysbiotic gut, or dysbiosis.  

So how do we know if we have dysbiosis?  The best way is to do a stool test that specifically looks at strains of bacteria in the gut.  We also have to be aware that GI symptoms can overlap, so even if most of these symptoms resonate with you, it could be another GI imbalance at play.  

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Some common symptoms associated with dysbiosis may include:

• Gas

• Bloating

• Abdominal pain

• Burping

• Sugar cravings and/or Carbohydrate cravings

• Rashes and/or hives

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So what are some factors known to contribute to dysbiosis?

• Diet that lacks adequate dietary fiber

• Exposure to a pathogen

• Psychological Stress and/or Anxiety

• Age

• Medication and Drug use

• Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption

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Gut health is an intricate balance, and can take time to shift the terrain.  At Rooted Nutrition we understand how important gut health is to overall health.  If you are experiencing some of the symptoms above we can support you in slowly shifting the environment of the gut to ease symptoms and continue living free from these annoying symptoms.

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