Gut Health 101: How to improve Gut Health (2024 Edition)
More attention than ever is being put on your gut health, and understandably so, considering a significant proportion of your immune system resides in your gastrointestinal tract (1). As such, optimizing your gut microbiome is a worthwhile pursuit that will have far-reaching effects on your physical health and emotional well-being.
Mounting scientific evidence also continues to suggest a large component of nutrition centers on nourishing health-promoting bacteria in your gut (and elsewhere in and on your body). In doing so, you keep harmful microbes in check and shore up your protection against chronic disease.
"Apart from genetic makeup and exposure to environmental triggers, inappropriate increase in intestinal permeability (which may be influenced by the composition of the gut microbiota), a 'hyper-belligerent' immune system responsible for the tolerance-immune response balance, and the composition of gut microbiome and its epigenetic influence on the host genomic expression have been identified as three additional elements in causing CIDs.
During the past decade, a growing number of publications have focused on human genetics, the gut microbiome, and proteomics, suggesting that loss of mucosal barrier function, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, may substantially affect antigen trafficking, ultimately influencing the close bidirectional interaction between gut microbiome and our immune system.
This cross-talk is highly influential in shaping the host gut immune system function and ultimately shifting genetic predisposition to clinical outcome. This observation led to a re-visitation of the possible causes of CIDs epidemics, suggesting a key pathogenic role of gut permeability.
Pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that the zonulin family, a group of proteins modulating gut permeability, is implicated in a variety of CIDs, including autoimmune, infective, metabolic, and tumoral diseases. These data offer novel therapeutic targets for a variety of CIDs in which the zonulin pathway is implicated in their pathogenesis."
Related: Best Probiotic Supplements
Under normal circumstances, a healthy homeostasis is maintained in your gut lining such that when an antigen is encountered, no excess immune reaction occurs (anergy). Under No. 2 in the graph, gut dysbiosis is setting in (i.e., an imbalance in the number and diversity of your gut microflora), causing excess production of zonulin, which in turn makes the gut lining more permeable.
According to Fasano, the two most powerful triggers of zonulin release are bacteria overgrowth and gluten. Zonulin is produced in response to bad bacteria7 — it helps flush the bacteria out by opening up the tight junctions — so bacteria overgrowth makes sense. But why does it respond to gluten?
Interestingly enough, the zonulin pathway misinterprets gluten as a potential harmful component of a microorganism. That's why gluten triggers zonulin release. While not mentioned by Fasano, the herbicide glyphosate also triggers zonulin, and is 10 times more potent than gluten!8
The subsequent permeability allows microbiota-derived antigen and endotoxin to migrate from the lumen to the lamina propria (the connective tissue that is part of the mucous membrane lining your intestine), thereby triggering inflammation.
As the process continues to worsen (No. 3 in the graph), your adaptive immune response kicks in, triggering the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). These cytokines further worsen the permeability, thus creating a vicious cycle. Eventually (No. 4), mucosal tolerance is completely broken, resulting in the onset of a chronic inflammatory disease.
"Besides genetic predisposition and exposure to environmental triggers, the pathogenesis of a variety of CIDs seems to involve mutually influenced changes in gut permeability/Ag trafficking, immune activation, and changes in composition/function of the gut microbiome.
Zonulin is a modulator of both epithelial and endothelial barrier functions … Gut dysbiosis may cause the release of zonulin leading to the passage of luminal contents across the epithelial barrier causing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that themselves cause increased permeability establishing a vicious loop leading to massive influx of dietary and microbial Ags triggering the activation of T cells.
Depending on the host genetic makeup, activated T cells may remain within the GI tract, causing CID of the gut … or migrate to several different organs to cause systemic CID."
Mounting scientific evidence also continues to suggest a large component of nutrition centers on nourishing health-promoting bacteria in your gut (and elsewhere in and on your body). In doing so, you keep harmful microbes in check and shore up your protection against chronic disease.
Disease Begins in Your Gut
ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, obesity, diabetes (2) and Parkinson's disease are but a few of the conditions found to be influenced by your gut microbiome. One 2020 scientific review (3) goes so far as to say that all inflammatory disease begins in the gut. Part of the blame is laid on excessive hygiene. In other words, we're "too clean" for our own good.
But your diet also plays a crucial role. The paper specifically addresses the role of zonulin-mediated gut permeability in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs). According to the author, Dr. Alessio Fasano,(4) a pediatric gastroenterologist, researcher and director of the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment:(5)
But your diet also plays a crucial role. The paper specifically addresses the role of zonulin-mediated gut permeability in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs). According to the author, Dr. Alessio Fasano,(4) a pediatric gastroenterologist, researcher and director of the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment:(5)
"Apart from genetic makeup and exposure to environmental triggers, inappropriate increase in intestinal permeability (which may be influenced by the composition of the gut microbiota), a 'hyper-belligerent' immune system responsible for the tolerance-immune response balance, and the composition of gut microbiome and its epigenetic influence on the host genomic expression have been identified as three additional elements in causing CIDs.
During the past decade, a growing number of publications have focused on human genetics, the gut microbiome, and proteomics, suggesting that loss of mucosal barrier function, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, may substantially affect antigen trafficking, ultimately influencing the close bidirectional interaction between gut microbiome and our immune system.
This cross-talk is highly influential in shaping the host gut immune system function and ultimately shifting genetic predisposition to clinical outcome. This observation led to a re-visitation of the possible causes of CIDs epidemics, suggesting a key pathogenic role of gut permeability.
Pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that the zonulin family, a group of proteins modulating gut permeability, is implicated in a variety of CIDs, including autoimmune, infective, metabolic, and tumoral diseases. These data offer novel therapeutic targets for a variety of CIDs in which the zonulin pathway is implicated in their pathogenesis."
Related: Best Probiotic Supplements
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| Mitochondrial Dysfunction Destroys Gut Health |
Bacteria, Not Genes, Rule Your Health Destiny
Fasano points out that we simply do not have enough genes to account for the myriad chronic diseases that can beset us. Genes also cannot explain the timing of disease onset. To solve these mysteries, we must look to the microbiome, he says, as "it is the interplay between us as individuals and the environment in which we live that dictates our clinical destiny."
Aside from the microbes themselves, the condition of your intestinal mucosa also plays a significant role. "Although this enormous mucosal interface (200 m2) is not apparently visible, it plays a pivotal role through its dynamic interactions with a variety of factors coming from our surrounding environment, including microorganisms, nutrients, pollutants and other materials," Fasano explains.
While intracellular tight junctions used to be thought of as static and impermeable, we now know this is not the case. As explained by Fasano, zonulin is a powerful modulator of intestinal permeability. However, while zonulin is a biomarker of gut permeability and plays a pathogenic role in in many chronic inflammatory diseases, not all CIDs are caused by leaky gut.
Aside from the microbes themselves, the condition of your intestinal mucosa also plays a significant role. "Although this enormous mucosal interface (200 m2) is not apparently visible, it plays a pivotal role through its dynamic interactions with a variety of factors coming from our surrounding environment, including microorganisms, nutrients, pollutants and other materials," Fasano explains.
While intracellular tight junctions used to be thought of as static and impermeable, we now know this is not the case. As explained by Fasano, zonulin is a powerful modulator of intestinal permeability. However, while zonulin is a biomarker of gut permeability and plays a pathogenic role in in many chronic inflammatory diseases, not all CIDs are caused by leaky gut.
Proposed Chain of Events Leading to CID (Chronic Inflammatory Disease)
The graphic below, included in Fasano's review but originating from an earlier paper (6) titled "Zonulin, a Regulator of Epithelial and Endothelial Barrier Functions, and Its Involvement in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases," co-written by Fasano and Craig Sturgeon, details the "proposed chain of events leading to chronic inflammatory disease."
Under normal circumstances, a healthy homeostasis is maintained in your gut lining such that when an antigen is encountered, no excess immune reaction occurs (anergy). Under No. 2 in the graph, gut dysbiosis is setting in (i.e., an imbalance in the number and diversity of your gut microflora), causing excess production of zonulin, which in turn makes the gut lining more permeable.
According to Fasano, the two most powerful triggers of zonulin release are bacteria overgrowth and gluten. Zonulin is produced in response to bad bacteria7 — it helps flush the bacteria out by opening up the tight junctions — so bacteria overgrowth makes sense. But why does it respond to gluten?
Interestingly enough, the zonulin pathway misinterprets gluten as a potential harmful component of a microorganism. That's why gluten triggers zonulin release. While not mentioned by Fasano, the herbicide glyphosate also triggers zonulin, and is 10 times more potent than gluten!8
The subsequent permeability allows microbiota-derived antigen and endotoxin to migrate from the lumen to the lamina propria (the connective tissue that is part of the mucous membrane lining your intestine), thereby triggering inflammation.
As the process continues to worsen (No. 3 in the graph), your adaptive immune response kicks in, triggering the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). These cytokines further worsen the permeability, thus creating a vicious cycle. Eventually (No. 4), mucosal tolerance is completely broken, resulting in the onset of a chronic inflammatory disease.
Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Linked to Leaky Gut
The specific chronic inflammatory disease that ultimately emerges at the end of all this depends in part on your genetic makeup, in part on the types of exposures you've had, and in part on the composition of your gut microbiome. As explained by Fasano:(9)"Besides genetic predisposition and exposure to environmental triggers, the pathogenesis of a variety of CIDs seems to involve mutually influenced changes in gut permeability/Ag trafficking, immune activation, and changes in composition/function of the gut microbiome.
Zonulin is a modulator of both epithelial and endothelial barrier functions … Gut dysbiosis may cause the release of zonulin leading to the passage of luminal contents across the epithelial barrier causing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that themselves cause increased permeability establishing a vicious loop leading to massive influx of dietary and microbial Ags triggering the activation of T cells.
Depending on the host genetic makeup, activated T cells may remain within the GI tract, causing CID of the gut … or migrate to several different organs to cause systemic CID."
Chronic inflammatory diseases associated with dysregulation of the zonulin pathway include:
- Autoimmune disorders such as Celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, gestational diabetes, hyperlipidemia and Type 2 diabetes
- Intestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, non-celiac gluten sensitivity and environmental enteric dysfunction (a chronic disease affecting the proximal intestine)
- Neuroinflammatory diseases such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and chronic fatigue/myalgic encephalomyelitis
- Brain and liver cancers
Gut Microbes Influence Genes and Can Influence Cancer Risk
While the inclusion of cancer on that list may seem odd at first glance, some researchers believe the gut microbiome may actually end up being a game-changer for cancer prevention and treatment.
Not only have gut bacteria been shown to influence gene expression,(10,11) turning some genes on and others off, research(12) published in 2018 found gut microbes actually control antitumor immune responses in your liver, and that antibiotics can alter the composition of immune cells in your liver, triggering tumor growth.
Not only have gut bacteria been shown to influence gene expression,(10,11) turning some genes on and others off, research(12) published in 2018 found gut microbes actually control antitumor immune responses in your liver, and that antibiotics can alter the composition of immune cells in your liver, triggering tumor growth.
Harvard Medical School researchers have identified the specific population of gut microbes that modulates both localized and systemic immune response to ward off viral invaders.
Certain gut bacteria also promote inflammation, which is an underlying factor in virtually all cancers, whereas other bacteria quell it.(13) The presence of certain gut bacteria has even been shown to boost the patient's response to anticancer drugs.(14)
One way in which gut bacteria improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment is by activating your immune system and allowing it to function more efficiently. Researchers have actually found that when these specific microbes are absent, certain anticancer drugs may not work at all.
While the findings still need to be replicated and confirmed, they point to the possibility that you might be able to enhance your antiviral immunity by reseeding your gut with Bacteroides fragilis and other bacteria in the Bacteroides family.17
These bacteria initiate a signaling cascade that induces the release of interferon-beta that protect against viral invasion by stimulating immune cells to attack the virus and causing virus-infected cells to self-destruct.
As noted in this review, vitamin D has several direct and indirect regulatory effects on your immune system, including promoting regulatory T cells (Tregs), inhibiting differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells, impairing development and function of B cells, reducing monocyte activation and stimulating antimicrobial peptides from immune cells.
That said, the relationship between vitamin D and autoimmunity is complicated. Aside from immunosuppression, vitamin D also appears to improve autoimmune disorders by the way it affects your microbiota composition and gut barrier.
The review cites research showing that your vitamin D status alters the composition of your gut microbiome. Generally speaking, vitamin D deficiency tends to increase Bacteriodetes and Proteobacteria while higher vitamin D intake tends to increase prevalence of Prevotella and reduce certain types of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes.
While research is still slim when it comes to vitamin D's impact on gut bacteria, especially in patients with autoimmune disease, vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune diseases are known comorbidities and vitamin D supplementation is often recommended for these patients.
2. Probiotics and Fermented Foods
6. Regular Exercise
8. Stress Management
In diabetes, there's often a state of gut dysbiosis — an imbalance in the microbial community. This dysbiosis leads to increased intestinal permeability, often called "leaky gut," allowing harmful substances to enter your bloodstream and trigger systemic inflammation.
Similarly, alterations in gut microbiota composition have been observed in Alzheimer's disease patients. These changes affect the production of neurotransmitters, immune responses and even the integrity of your blood-brain barrier. Intriguingly, some gut bacteria produce compounds that mimic amyloid proteins, potentially exacerbating Alzheimer's pathology (source).
Meanwhile, fostering beneficial oxygen-intolerant bacteria in your gut, including important species like Akkermansia, strengthens your intestinal defenses and promotes overall wellness. These beneficial bacteria ferment dietary fibers to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate.
Notably, butyrate-producing bacteria like Eubacterium and Eisenbergiella were associated with lower Alzheimer's risk. Butyrate nourishes your colonic epithelial cells, reinforcing the intestinal barrier. SCFAs also stimulate mucin production, creating a protective shield against harmful bacteria.
Diets rich in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), including linoleic acid found in seed oils, destroy your gut health, leading to a cascade of harmful effects, from Type 2 diabetes to Alzheimer’s.
Most beneficial bacteria are gram-negative, and they're called obligate anaerobes. They do not have LPS in their cell wall and hence will not produce endotoxin when they die off. However, when you don’t create enough cellular energy you are unable to create a low oxygen environment in your large intestine.
This kills the beneficial bacteria as oxygen seeps in and they are unable to survive. When they leave, they create a hole that allows endotoxin-producing bacteria — facultative anaerobes — to take over through competitive inhibition. Facultative anaerobes can tolerate oxygen and survive.
The primary obligate anaerobic bacterium in your gut is a species called Akkermansia, which makes mucin, the protective layer in your gut. When your Akkermansia die off due to lack of cellular energy to maintain the proper oxygen gradient in the large intestine, then your mucin barrier starts to break down and you end up with leaky gut.
Now, the reason starch CAN be problematic is because, if you are metabolically inflexible (and most are), then you’re not making enough mitochondrial energy to maintain a healthy gut. So, the idea that starch is problematic is likely true for most people, because most people have a disrupted microbiome. Starch is indiscriminate and will feed any bacteria. So, since most people have a preponderance of pathogenic gut bacteria, starch causes problems.
The flip side of this is that if you have a healthy microbiome, starch can be quite beneficial. So, the primary goal is to get your cellular energy up and improve your microbiome first. Then you can eat starch.
Instead, it suggests that the relationship between your gut health and carbohydrate metabolism could be key to unlocking improved overall wellness. It's not about following a one-size-fits-all diet, but rather about understanding how your unique gut biology interacts with different types of carbohydrates.
Surprisingly, for many people, this approach favors simple carbs over complex ones. This is because they usually have less-than-optimal gut health. If you have a compromised gut system and you consume complex carbs, the fiber and prebiotics in these carbs can feed oxygen-tolerant gut bacteria and worsen your symptoms.
The following chart breaks down several types of carbohydrate sources and how they fit into this plan. We can categorize them into three groups: green, yellow and red.
In the green category are the most easily digestible simple carbs that provide quick energy without overtaxing your compromised digestive system. You will focus on these carbs initially, because simple carbs provide a quick energy boost for your cells and mitochondria. It's like giving your body's energy factories an immediate fuel injection while allowing your gut to rest and heal at the same time.
Next is the yellow category, which includes carbs that offer more nutrients and fiber compared to the green category, yet are still relatively easy on the digestive system. Finally, the red category, the most complex carbs, offers many health benefits but can be challenging for a compromised gut to handle.
So how can you begin implementing this approach? If you have severely compromised gut health, start with pure sugar water. This is a temporary measure to jumpstart the healing process. Mix one-half pound, up to a full pound, of pure dextrose (glucose) into a half gallon of water and sip it slowly all day. Don't drink more than an ounce at a time to avoid spiking your insulin.
Once your gut health has improved, you can switch your primary carb source to whole foods. More than likely, you'll also need to eat more frequently than you're used to during this transition to avoid hypoglycemia. Eating every three to four hours, with snacks throughout the day, is crucial when relying on simple carbs for energy.
As your mitochondrial energy production continues to improve and your gut starts to heal, you will begin the transition back to complex carbs. This is a slow and steady process — don't rush it.
Once you're able to include more complex carbohydrates in your diet, you'll start to notice significant benefits. You'll be able to extend the time between meals to between four and six hours, and many people find they can comfortably switch to a three-meals-a-day approach. This is because complex carbs digest more slowly, providing a steady stream of energy.
A 2023 study published in Laboratory Investigation by Penn State University scientists finds that broccoli's health benefits may also extend to protecting the integrity of the gut lining. This important discovery adds to research that demonstrates how to protect your gut health, since a considerable portion of your immune system resides in the gastrointestinal tract.
Certain gut bacteria also promote inflammation, which is an underlying factor in virtually all cancers, whereas other bacteria quell it.(13) The presence of certain gut bacteria has even been shown to boost the patient's response to anticancer drugs.(14)
One way in which gut bacteria improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment is by activating your immune system and allowing it to function more efficiently. Researchers have actually found that when these specific microbes are absent, certain anticancer drugs may not work at all.
Gut Bacteria Are Part of Your Antiviral Defense
Gut bacteria are also involved in your antiviral defense, research15 shows. As reported by Harvard Medical School November 18, 2020:16
"For the first time, Harvard Medical School researchers have … identified the specific population of gut microbes that modulates both localized and systemic immune response to ward off viral invaders. The work … pinpoints a group of gut microbes, and a specific species within it, that causes immune cells to release virus-repelling chemicals known as type 1 interferons.
The researchers further identified the precise molecule — shared by many gut bacteria within that group — that unlocks the immune-protective cascade. That molecule, the researchers noted, is not difficult to isolate and could become the basis for drugs that boost antiviral immunity in humans."
"For the first time, Harvard Medical School researchers have … identified the specific population of gut microbes that modulates both localized and systemic immune response to ward off viral invaders. The work … pinpoints a group of gut microbes, and a specific species within it, that causes immune cells to release virus-repelling chemicals known as type 1 interferons.
The researchers further identified the precise molecule — shared by many gut bacteria within that group — that unlocks the immune-protective cascade. That molecule, the researchers noted, is not difficult to isolate and could become the basis for drugs that boost antiviral immunity in humans."
While the findings still need to be replicated and confirmed, they point to the possibility that you might be able to enhance your antiviral immunity by reseeding your gut with Bacteroides fragilis and other bacteria in the Bacteroides family.17
These bacteria initiate a signaling cascade that induces the release of interferon-beta that protect against viral invasion by stimulating immune cells to attack the virus and causing virus-infected cells to self-destruct.
"Specifically, … a molecule that resides on the bacterium's surface triggers the release of interferon-beta by activating the so-called TLR4-TRIF signaling pathway," Harvard explains.18 "This bacterial molecule stimulates an immune-signaling pathway initiated by one of the nine toll-like receptors (TLR) that are part of the innate immune system."
The Role of Vitamin D
Recent research also highlights the role of vitamin D in gut health and systemic autoimmunity. The review article, published January 21, 2020, in Frontiers in Immunology, notes:19
"Autoimmune diseases tend to share a predisposition for vitamin D deficiency, which alters the microbiome and integrity of the gut epithelial barrier.
In this review, we summarize the influence of intestinal bacteria on the immune system, explore the microbial patterns that have emerged from studies on autoimmune diseases, and discuss how vitamin D deficiency may contribute to autoimmunity via its effects on the intestinal barrier function, microbiome composition, and/or direct effects on immune responses."
"Autoimmune diseases tend to share a predisposition for vitamin D deficiency, which alters the microbiome and integrity of the gut epithelial barrier.
In this review, we summarize the influence of intestinal bacteria on the immune system, explore the microbial patterns that have emerged from studies on autoimmune diseases, and discuss how vitamin D deficiency may contribute to autoimmunity via its effects on the intestinal barrier function, microbiome composition, and/or direct effects on immune responses."
As noted in this review, vitamin D has several direct and indirect regulatory effects on your immune system, including promoting regulatory T cells (Tregs), inhibiting differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells, impairing development and function of B cells, reducing monocyte activation and stimulating antimicrobial peptides from immune cells.
That said, the relationship between vitamin D and autoimmunity is complicated. Aside from immunosuppression, vitamin D also appears to improve autoimmune disorders by the way it affects your microbiota composition and gut barrier.
The review cites research showing that your vitamin D status alters the composition of your gut microbiome. Generally speaking, vitamin D deficiency tends to increase Bacteriodetes and Proteobacteria while higher vitamin D intake tends to increase prevalence of Prevotella and reduce certain types of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes.
While research is still slim when it comes to vitamin D's impact on gut bacteria, especially in patients with autoimmune disease, vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune diseases are known comorbidities and vitamin D supplementation is often recommended for these patients.
Vitamin D Required for Tight Junction Maintenance
Better known is how vitamin D supports intestinal and immune cell defenses in the gut. In fact, vitamin D is one of the crucial components required for maintaining tight junctions. As explained in this review:20
“The intestinal epithelium is in constant interaction with the external environment. Adequate barrier integrity and antimicrobial function at epithelial surfaces are critical in maintaining homeostasis and preventing invasion or overcolonization of particular microbial species.
A healthy intestinal epithelium and intact mucus layer are critical to protect against invasion by pathogenic organisms, and vitamin D helps to maintain this barrier function … Multiple studies found that vitamin D3/VDR signaling modulates tight junction protein quantity and distribution …
As a ‘leaky’ protein that allows movement of ions into the intestinal lumen, claudin-2 expression in the setting of functional vitamin D deficiency may contribute to colitis pathology …
Vitamin D upregulates antimicrobial peptide mRNA and protein expression including cathelicidin, defensins, and lysozyme … Antimicrobial peptides, primarily secreted by Paneth cells in the gut, are important mediators of microbiome composition … Defensins are secreted by epithelial cells, Paneth cells, and immune cells, and are important components of the innate immune response in the gut.”
“The intestinal epithelium is in constant interaction with the external environment. Adequate barrier integrity and antimicrobial function at epithelial surfaces are critical in maintaining homeostasis and preventing invasion or overcolonization of particular microbial species.
A healthy intestinal epithelium and intact mucus layer are critical to protect against invasion by pathogenic organisms, and vitamin D helps to maintain this barrier function … Multiple studies found that vitamin D3/VDR signaling modulates tight junction protein quantity and distribution …
As a ‘leaky’ protein that allows movement of ions into the intestinal lumen, claudin-2 expression in the setting of functional vitamin D deficiency may contribute to colitis pathology …
Vitamin D upregulates antimicrobial peptide mRNA and protein expression including cathelicidin, defensins, and lysozyme … Antimicrobial peptides, primarily secreted by Paneth cells in the gut, are important mediators of microbiome composition … Defensins are secreted by epithelial cells, Paneth cells, and immune cells, and are important components of the innate immune response in the gut.”
How Vitamin D Deficiency May Contribute to Autoimmune Disease
According to the authors, vitamin D deficiency may contribute to autoimmune disease by affecting the microbiome and the immune system in the following manner:
- Vitamin D deficiency or supplementation changes the microbiome, and manipulation of bacterial abundance or composition impacts disease manifestation.
- Lack of vitamin D signaling due to dietary deficiency can impair physical and functional barrier integrity of the gut, thereby allowing bacterial interactions to either stimulate or inhibit immune responses.
- Your innate immunologic defenses may be compromised if you are deficient in vitamin D.
How to Optimize Your Gut Microbiome
All of this information should really drive home the point that optimizing your gut flora and vitamin D level is of crucial importance for good health. By reseeding your gut with beneficial bacteria, you can keep pathogenic microbes and fungi in check and prevent them from taking over, and optimizing your vitamin D will help avoid leaky gut.
Regularly eating traditionally fermented and cultured foods is the easiest, most effective and least expensive way to make a significant impact on your gut microbiome. Healthy choices include lassi (an Indian yogurt drink), cultured grass fed organic milk products such as kefir and yogurt, natto (fermented soy) and fermented vegetables of all kinds.
Although I'm not a major proponent of taking many supplements (as I believe the majority of your nutrients need to come from food), probiotics are an exception if you don't eat fermented foods on a regular basis. Spore-based probiotics, or sporebiotics, can be particularly helpful when you're taking antibiotics. They're also an excellent complement to regular probiotics.
Sporebiotics, which consist of the cell wall of bacillus spores, will help boost your immune tolerance, and because they do not contain any live bacillus strains, only its spores — the protective shell around the DNA and the working mechanism of that DNA — they are unaffected by antibiotics.
Antibiotics, as you may know, indiscriminately kill your gut bacteria, both good and bad. This is why secondary infections and lowered immune function are common side effects of taking antibiotics. Chronic low-dose exposure to antibiotics through your food also takes a toll on your gut microbiome, which can result in chronic ill health and increased risk of drug resistance. Last but not least, you also need to avoid things that disrupt or kill your microbiome, and this includes:
Regularly eating traditionally fermented and cultured foods is the easiest, most effective and least expensive way to make a significant impact on your gut microbiome. Healthy choices include lassi (an Indian yogurt drink), cultured grass fed organic milk products such as kefir and yogurt, natto (fermented soy) and fermented vegetables of all kinds.
Although I'm not a major proponent of taking many supplements (as I believe the majority of your nutrients need to come from food), probiotics are an exception if you don't eat fermented foods on a regular basis. Spore-based probiotics, or sporebiotics, can be particularly helpful when you're taking antibiotics. They're also an excellent complement to regular probiotics.
Sporebiotics, which consist of the cell wall of bacillus spores, will help boost your immune tolerance, and because they do not contain any live bacillus strains, only its spores — the protective shell around the DNA and the working mechanism of that DNA — they are unaffected by antibiotics.
Antibiotics, as you may know, indiscriminately kill your gut bacteria, both good and bad. This is why secondary infections and lowered immune function are common side effects of taking antibiotics. Chronic low-dose exposure to antibiotics through your food also takes a toll on your gut microbiome, which can result in chronic ill health and increased risk of drug resistance. Last but not least, you also need to avoid things that disrupt or kill your microbiome, and this includes:
- Antibiotics, unless absolutely necessary
- Conventionally-raised meats and other animal products, as these animals are routinely fed low-dose antibiotics, plus genetically engineered and/or glyphosate-treated grains
- Processed foods (as the excessive sugars feed pathogenic bacteria)
- Chlorinated and/or fluoridated water
- Antibacterial soap and products containing triclosan
How to Improve Gut Health Naturally
1. Fiber-rich foodsEating a wide variety of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fermented foods, encourages the growth of a rich and diverse gut microbiota. Fiber-rich foods, in particular, fuel beneficial bacteria, aiding digestion and maintaining a healthy balance in the gut.
2. Probiotics and Fermented Foods
Probiotic supplements or fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi can increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria. A study shows that fermented foods can affect the gut microbiome in both the short and long term, and should be considered an important element of the human diet.
3. Prebiotics
3. Prebiotics
Prebiotic-rich foods, like garlic, onions, and bananas, are an important fuel for the growth and maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome.
Psyllium is also a prebiotic — a substance needed for healthy colonies of probiotics to grow in the gut. A healthy colony of good bacteria in the digestive system is essential for healthy immune function. Your body is better able to fight infection, reduce inflammation, and maintain healthy tissue and cells.
4. Hydration
4. Hydration
Drinking plenty of water may be an important factor in shaping the human gut microbiome, however the water source does matters. Therefore, be attention to your water quality in order to ensure the positive impact of hydration on the gut microbiome is maximized.
5. Limiting Processed Foods
Highly processed foods may negatively impact the gut microbiome. Limiting the intake of these foods can help prevent disruptions in microbial balance and encourage a healthier digestive system.
6. Regular Exercise
Engaging in regular exercise promotes overall health and contributes to a thriving gut environment. According to a study, exercise can enhance the number of beneficial microbial species, enrich the microflora diversity, and improve the development of commensal bacteria.
7. Adequate Sleep
7. Adequate Sleep
Quality sleep is integral to overall well-being, and may also influences gut health. Adequate sleep may help to maintain a healthy gut microbiome and contributes to overall digestive health .
According to a 2019 study, stress and depression can increase gut barrier permeability. The result, a ‘leaky gut,’ allows bacteria to seep into circulation, producing an inflammatory response. Indeed, both depression and stress can provoke heightened inflammation and gut leakiness. Incorporating stress-management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness or consult with mental health provider.
9. L-Glutamine
L-Glutamine plays a crucial role in gut health by fueling the cells lining the intestine, known as enterocytes, and maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. This nutrient supports the growth and upkeep of the intestinal mucosa, reducing gut permeability and preventing the passage of harmful substances into the bloodstream.
Additionally, L-Glutamine helps regulate the immune response in the gut, ensuring a balanced level of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, L-Glutamine may help to preserve gut lining health, minimize permeability, and sustain immune balance.
The Gut-Brain Axis: Connecting the dots between Gut Health and Brain Health
The gut-brain axis is another crucial factor in the diabetes-dementia connection. This bidirectional communication system between your gut and brain plays a significant role in both metabolic and cognitive health. Your gut microbiota, the trillions of microorganisms living in your intestines, are key mediators in this relationship.In diabetes, there's often a state of gut dysbiosis — an imbalance in the microbial community. This dysbiosis leads to increased intestinal permeability, often called "leaky gut," allowing harmful substances to enter your bloodstream and trigger systemic inflammation.
Similarly, alterations in gut microbiota composition have been observed in Alzheimer's disease patients. These changes affect the production of neurotransmitters, immune responses and even the integrity of your blood-brain barrier. Intriguingly, some gut bacteria produce compounds that mimic amyloid proteins, potentially exacerbating Alzheimer's pathology (source).
Meanwhile, fostering beneficial oxygen-intolerant bacteria in your gut, including important species like Akkermansia, strengthens your intestinal defenses and promotes overall wellness. These beneficial bacteria ferment dietary fibers to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate.
Notably, butyrate-producing bacteria like Eubacterium and Eisenbergiella were associated with lower Alzheimer's risk. Butyrate nourishes your colonic epithelial cells, reinforcing the intestinal barrier. SCFAs also stimulate mucin production, creating a protective shield against harmful bacteria.
Diets rich in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), including linoleic acid found in seed oils, destroy your gut health, leading to a cascade of harmful effects, from Type 2 diabetes to Alzheimer’s.
Good Starch vs Bad Starch
One of the primary functions of the gut is to maintain an anaerobic environment (an environment without oxygen). The problem is, you need energy to keep oxygen out of there, and if that energy is not available, oxygen is going to seep in.Most beneficial bacteria are gram-negative, and they're called obligate anaerobes. They do not have LPS in their cell wall and hence will not produce endotoxin when they die off. However, when you don’t create enough cellular energy you are unable to create a low oxygen environment in your large intestine.
This kills the beneficial bacteria as oxygen seeps in and they are unable to survive. When they leave, they create a hole that allows endotoxin-producing bacteria — facultative anaerobes — to take over through competitive inhibition. Facultative anaerobes can tolerate oxygen and survive.
The primary obligate anaerobic bacterium in your gut is a species called Akkermansia, which makes mucin, the protective layer in your gut. When your Akkermansia die off due to lack of cellular energy to maintain the proper oxygen gradient in the large intestine, then your mucin barrier starts to break down and you end up with leaky gut.
Now, the reason starch CAN be problematic is because, if you are metabolically inflexible (and most are), then you’re not making enough mitochondrial energy to maintain a healthy gut. So, the idea that starch is problematic is likely true for most people, because most people have a disrupted microbiome. Starch is indiscriminate and will feed any bacteria. So, since most people have a preponderance of pathogenic gut bacteria, starch causes problems.
The flip side of this is that if you have a healthy microbiome, starch can be quite beneficial. So, the primary goal is to get your cellular energy up and improve your microbiome first. Then you can eat starch.
Carbs and Gut Health: A Color-Coded System to Guide Your Gut Health Journey
The method that Dr Joseph Mercola discuss in his book ranks carbohydrates based on their impact on your biology, specifically in relation to your gut health. This approach recognizes that the traditional complex vs. simple carb dichotomy likely does not tell the whole story when it comes to individual health outcomes.Instead, it suggests that the relationship between your gut health and carbohydrate metabolism could be key to unlocking improved overall wellness. It's not about following a one-size-fits-all diet, but rather about understanding how your unique gut biology interacts with different types of carbohydrates.
Surprisingly, for many people, this approach favors simple carbs over complex ones. This is because they usually have less-than-optimal gut health. If you have a compromised gut system and you consume complex carbs, the fiber and prebiotics in these carbs can feed oxygen-tolerant gut bacteria and worsen your symptoms.
The following chart breaks down several types of carbohydrate sources and how they fit into this plan. We can categorize them into three groups: green, yellow and red.
In the green category are the most easily digestible simple carbs that provide quick energy without overtaxing your compromised digestive system. You will focus on these carbs initially, because simple carbs provide a quick energy boost for your cells and mitochondria. It's like giving your body's energy factories an immediate fuel injection while allowing your gut to rest and heal at the same time.
Next is the yellow category, which includes carbs that offer more nutrients and fiber compared to the green category, yet are still relatively easy on the digestive system. Finally, the red category, the most complex carbs, offers many health benefits but can be challenging for a compromised gut to handle.
So how can you begin implementing this approach? If you have severely compromised gut health, start with pure sugar water. This is a temporary measure to jumpstart the healing process. Mix one-half pound, up to a full pound, of pure dextrose (glucose) into a half gallon of water and sip it slowly all day. Don't drink more than an ounce at a time to avoid spiking your insulin.
Once your gut health has improved, you can switch your primary carb source to whole foods. More than likely, you'll also need to eat more frequently than you're used to during this transition to avoid hypoglycemia. Eating every three to four hours, with snacks throughout the day, is crucial when relying on simple carbs for energy.
As your mitochondrial energy production continues to improve and your gut starts to heal, you will begin the transition back to complex carbs. This is a slow and steady process — don't rush it.
Once you're able to include more complex carbohydrates in your diet, you'll start to notice significant benefits. You'll be able to extend the time between meals to between four and six hours, and many people find they can comfortably switch to a three-meals-a-day approach. This is because complex carbs digest more slowly, providing a steady stream of energy.
Can Broccoli Help Your Gut?
Evidence reveals that compounds in broccoli help protect the integrity of your intestinal lining and therefore may help prevent leaky gut, which increases inflammation and may be the basis for many chronic diseases.
Sources and References
- 1 Hopkinsmedicine.org, The Gut: Where Bacteria and Immune System Meet
- 2 PLOS ONE February 5, 2010; 5(2): e9085
- 3, 5, 9 F100Research 2020, 9(F1000 Faculty Rev):69
- 4 IFM.org Alessio Fasano
- 6 Tissue Barriers 4:4, e1251384
- 7, 8 Biomed Network, Zonulin, Gluten, Glyphosate and Tight Junctions
- 10 Mol Cell. 2016 Dec 1;64(5):982-992.
- 11 ScienceDaily November 23, 2016
- 12 NIH.gov, May 24, 2018
- 13, 14 Nature May 23, 2018
- 15 Cell November 25, 2020; 183(5): 1312-1324
- 16, 18 Harvard Medical School November 18, 2020
- 17 Bacteroides Fragilis
- 19, 20 Frontiers in Immunology January 21, 2020 DOI: 10.1189/fimmu.2019.03141
Adapted and updated with new information: https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2021/11/04/the-gut-microbiome-in-health-and-disease.aspx
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