Summary Dysbiosis refers to a bacterial imbalance in the gut, which can compromise the immune system. It has been said that dysbiosis plays a part in many conditions such as: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ankylosing Spondylitus, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue. The main causes of Dysbiosis are believed to be antibiotics and pesticides along with other environmental and dietary factors.

Trillions of bacteria inhabit our bodies. In our digestive tract we have more bacteria than cells in our bodies. Some of these are beneficial to us, some are neutral and others are pathogenic. Normally these maintain a symbiotic relationship with the host but poor diet, lifestyle and some medications such as antibiotics can dramatically diminish the levels of 'friendly' bacteria we have in our digestive tract and the result can be pathogenic and is quite likely to cause leaky gut.

The term dysbiosis was originally introduced in the early 1900s by Dr Eli Metchnikoff to describe an imbalance of the bacteria in the gut. Literally it means 'dys' incorrect and 'biosis' life. The word comes from 'symbiosis' meaning to reside together harmoniously with the 'dys' meaning the opposite. He coined the expression that "Death begins in the gut!". Metchnikoff was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1908 for his work on friendly bacterial flora [1]. He introduced the idea that fermented milk products could prove beneficial to the gut, inhibiting bacterial infection. He believed that the root of many diseases was via intestinal bacteria decomposing protein in the bowel. Lactic acid producing bacteria were believed to stunt the production of the pathogenic bacteria.

Many microbes are being discovered which should not be located in the gastrointestinal tract and they often release poisonous chemicals such as: amines, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, indoles, phenols and secondary bile acids [2]. These microbes can damage the microvilli in the intestine and can be absorbed into the bloodstream causing a whole range of problems.

If the 'unfriendly' bacteria overwhelm the intestines this can compromise the immune system, which normally relies on some of the substances the friendly bacteria produce to operate effectively. The microflora in the gastrointestinal tract is also involved in synthesis of vitamins (B and K), aiding gastrointestinal tract motility and functioning, digestions and nutrient absorption, inhibiting pathogens, metabolism of plant compounds/ drugs and producing short chain fatty acids and polyamines [3,4,5]. The abnormal bacteria in the intestines are said to release exotoxins, which can result in a variety of chronic and degenerative diseases.

Evidence has suggested that Dysbiosis plays a part in many conditions such as: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Anklyosing Spondylitus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue, Eczema, food allergies. Many people are unaware that they are even suffering from Dysbiosis.

Two of the main causes of Dysbiosis are said to be:

Antiobiotics- Antiobiotics eradicate any bacteria they come across and this includes the good as well as the bad bacteria throughout the body leaving pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi to run free. After each bout of antiobiotics a person takes it increases the likelihood that they will develop Dysbiosis.

Pesticides, Herbcides, Fungicides, Insecticides - These toxic substances sprayed on foods that are already nutrient deficient from being grown with artificial fertilisers are not selective either about which bacteria they kill. They kill the fungal or viral diseases in plants and continue to cause damage throughout our bodies. The pesticides and insecticides used today are often made up molecules that are awkward for the body to assimilate [6]. All fresh produce should be washed thoroughly and it is preferential to use organic products.

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[1] Lipski E Leaky Gut Syndrome, 1998, "What to do about a health threat that can cause arthritis, allergies and a host of other illnesses" p18 Keats
[2] Mitsuoka T, 1992, "Intestinal Flora and Aging" Nutrition Research Reviews 50 (12) pp 438-46
[3] Holzapfel WH, Haberer P, Snel J, et al, 1998, "Overview of gut flora and probiotics". International Journal of Food Microbiology 41 pp 88-101
[4] Noack J, Kleessen B, Proll J, et al, 1998, "Dietary guar gum and pectin stimulate intestinal microbial polyamine synthesis in rats", Journal of Nutrition, 128 pp1385-1391
[5] Gibson GR, Roberfroid MB, 1995, "Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: introducing the concept of prebiotics" Journal Of Nutrition, 125, pp1401-1412
[6] Koontz D, Hinze, J et al 1999, "Leaky Gut Syndrome, Origins, Effects and Therapies, The Medical Link Between Dysbiosis and Many Major Ailments' The Herbal Pharm 19, pp 8