August 26, 2024
What are Commensal Bacteria?
Trillions of microorganisms inhabit the human intestine to make up a complex ecosystem in our microbiome (a community of microbes) that plays an important role in human health. Your microbiome is home to trillions of microbes, diverse organisms that help govern nearly every function of the human body in some way.
Most of the bacterial species that make up our microbiome live in our digestive system. Commensal bacteria extract nutrients and energy from our diets, maintain gut barrier function, produce vitamins, such as biotin and vitamin K, and protect against colonization by potential pathogens.
The term commensalism refers to a type of relationship between two different organisms that “eat from the same dish”. In this kind of relationship, neither benefit from the other nor causes any harm. It is therefore a neutral relationship. Although “friendly” bacteria inhabiting our gut are usually referred to as commensal, research in this field suggests that the relationship between our gut microbiota and us is not merely commensal, but rather a mutualistic relationship.
Why is a commensal bacteria balance so important?
Commensal bacteria protect the host from pathogens by competing for nutrients with pathogenic bacteria. (1) When our commensal bacteria are too low, the mucosal lining in the intestines can become weakened and lead to leaky gut. Leaky gut occurs when tight junctions in the gut, which control what passes through the lining of the small intestine, don’t work properly. That could let substances leak into the bloodstream. This can lead to inflammation and symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and fatigue. Some evidence suggests that it may be associated with certain conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, and cancer.
The importance of your gut health cannot be emphasized enough. It’s been said by some researchers that up to 90 percent of all diseases can be traced in some way back to the gut and health of the microbiome. Antibiotics, processed food and alcohol are a few examples of what can harm the good bacteria in our guts and weaken the intestinal lining, in addition to poor sleep and environmental toxins. Stress is also detrimental to the microbiome. On the other hand, an anti-inflammatory diet of whole, organic fruits and vegetables, clean meats, organic grains, healthy fats and probiotics can feed and strengthen the commensal bacteria thus creating a healthy gut microbiome.
So, how do you know if you have a healthy gut microbiome?
The GI-MAP was designed to detect microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance or contributing to illness as well as indicators of digestion, absorption, inflammation, and immune function. The GI-MAP test checks for multiple commensal bacteria levels. The test also looks for potentially detrimental substances, such as:
- bacterial overgrowth
- pathogens
- parasites
- fungi
- yeast
- hidden viruses
The report is about five pages long. Based on the results, a plan to rebalance and/or heal the gut can be recommended. For more information or to order a GI-MAP, go to: Contact – Whole_Hearted Yoga (whole-heartedyoga.com)
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not meant to treat or diagnose any illnesses or conditions. Always consult with your doctor before taking any new supplement or medication. Be sure to discuss any test results and concerns with your doctor.
Sources:
The-Scientist.com and DrAxe.com
