EVENTSOne of the physical conditions in a body that can lead to immune dysregulation is something known as “gut dysbiosis.” The “gut,” or gastrointestinal system, simply refers to the long hollow tube that stretches from the tip of your tongue right down to your rectum. “Dysbiosis” refers to a state of imbalance among the colonies of microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, viruses, parasites, etc.) within your body.
Living in your gut are trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms that are essential to the most basic biological mechanisms required for human life such as digestion, energy production, and detoxification.
“Gut dysbiosis” means that there is an upset in the natural balance of microorganisms in your gut. Normally, your gut is inhabited by trillions of good bacteria, the ones that help you digest your food, produce energy, and produce important biological chemicals like serotonin and dopamine (needed for brain function).
When your gut is dysbiotic, this means that the “bad germs” (disease causing bacteria, for instance) begin to edge out the “good germs.” When the bad germs edge out the good germs, basic biological functions (such as digestion) begin to breakdown, and symptoms (like diarrhea or constipation) begin to appear. Not all symptoms of gut dysbiosis are obvious. Because gut dysbiosis can lead to any number of physiological problems throughout the body, it can be responsible for symptoms as varied as depression and asthmatic wheezing.
When a body is unable to effectively combat the bad germs in the gut (or elsewhere in the body) a state of immune dysregulation can occur. Thus, immune dysregulation and gut dysbiosis often occur simultaneously, and each can occur as a result of the other. Additionally, gut dysbiosis and immune dysregulation can both lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, a condition where the body’s energy production is affected on a cellular level. Gut dysbiosis can therefore result in symptoms associated with mitochondrial dysfunction such as fatigue, low muscle tone, failure to thrive, motor delays and other complex health problems.
How Does Gut Dysbiosis Affect Immune Function?
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This document is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Epidemic Answers has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this document.
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