Your Gut Health Shapes Your Future

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Research has found differences in microbiome composition among women with/without PMS symptoms, in which less of particular species (i.e., Parabacteroides & Megasphaera) were associated with increased severity of symptoms. Source. Specific probiotics have been found to balance the microbiome, modulate hormone (i.e., estrogen, progesterone, and RAAS) function, secrete serotonin and GABA, as well as prevent systemic inflammation, all of which may help with PMS symptoms. Source.

Fertility: Imbalances in one's gut leads to an increase in intestinal permeability which triggers inflammatory and immune responses in the body, disputing glucose metabolism, and ultimately leading to the development of infertility symptoms. Source. This dysbiosis of the gut microbiome has been associated with the promotion of common gynecological conditions, such as PCOS, endometriosis, and malignant tumors. Conversely, these diseases can further disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome. Source.

Pregnancy: Research has found connections of maternal and childhood conditions to the presence or absence of particular gut microbiota during pregnancy, both in ability to predict/limit risk factors as well as for treatment. For example, the presence of a particular species (i.e., Prevotella copri) in the maternal gut during pregnancy predicted decreased IgE-mediated food allergy in offspring. Source. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, a common pregnancy complication, is associated with a decreased abundance of Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium species and an increased abundance of Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Collinsella, and Eggerthella. Source. The use of probiotics and consumption of high-fiber diet are effective inventions to prevent mothers and their offspring from diseases. Source.

Postpartum: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a potential complication following childbirth occurring in ~10%–15% of women. Research has found that gut microbiota communicate bidirectionally along the “gut-brain axis”, and that dysbiosis might play a key role in PPD onset via modulation of serotonin, hormones, and one's stress response (i.e., HPA axis). Source. A study indicated that women with PPD had increased abundance of bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, which is associated with intestinal inflammation.Source.

Perimenopause & Menopause: Research has shown the decline in estradiol and progesterone that occurs in perimenopause and menopause may lead to permeability of the gut barrier. Research also suggests that menopause and/or low estrogens are associated with decreased diversity in the microbiome and impaired estrogen metabolism. Source.

Vaginal Health: A reduction in the relative abundance of protective Lactobacillus spp. can increase the vaginal pH and allow colonization by pathogenic microbiota found in a range of vaginal conditions. For example, Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), is linked to an increase in the relative number of anaerobic bacteria (i.e., G. vaginalis, Prevotella, and Mobiluncus) and an Urinary Tract Infection is linked to the increase in E. coli, Proteus, Klebsiella, and Enterococcus. Source.

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often have gastrointestinal problems consistent with symptomatic imbalances in the gut microbiome (i.e., bloating, constipation/diarrhea, gas, cramping/pain, reflux). The microbiome of those with ASD has been found to contain a higher number of pathogenic microbiota (i.e., Clostridium perfringens) and a lower number of beneficial Bifidobacteria compared with those without Autism. Research has shown that supplementing with a specific prebiotic lead to an increase in Bifido. type microbiota, resulting in potential improvement of symptoms and overall health outcomes. Source.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: The proposed relationship between ADHD and gut microbiome is based on the interplay between the intestinal tract and the central nervous system (CNS), also known as “gut-brain axis”. Researchers have concluded that there is an increased abundance of Odoribacter microbiota in individuals with ADHD group, which has been shown to have effect on neurotransmitter production and dopamine metabolism. In addition, low numbers of Faecalibacterium have been linked to increased release of inflammatory markers (i.e., cytokines), which are found to be higher in children with ADHD. Source.

Traumatic Brain Injury: Research states that TBI-associated damage to the nervous system leads to GI dysmotility, which promotes small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and compromises the structural integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, causing malabsorption of essential nutrients and further exacerbating dysbiosis. A healthy gut microbiome has been shown to promote improved recovery from TBI and prevent the development of neurodegenerative disease (i.e., Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), as well as other chronic complications. Source.

Mental Health: Research via a systematic review found that depression was linked to less diversity of microbes and high levels of Firmicutes in the gut while anxiety was associated with an increase in microbes that produce inflammatory markers (i.e., Proteobacteria). Probiotics and dietary changes were indicated as effective as drug treatment resulting in a reduction of symptoms in many patients. Source.

Heart Disease & Conditions: Scientific evidence proves the existence of a two-way relationship between the gut microbiota and Cardiovascular Disease; research has shown that beneficial gut bacteria have positive influences on immune regulation, inflammatory response, gastrointestinal barrier integrity, and metabolic pathways, which support heart functioning and overall health. Source. Researchers have recently found that higher levels of Oscillibacter microbes were strongly associated with lower levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose as well as higher beneficial HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.The research study confirmed that these microbes could break down harmful cholesterol into components that do not contribute to CVD risk. Source.

Diabetes & Insulin Resistance: Research found that consumption of a more plant-based vs. animal-based diet showed better bacterial compositions containing microbes that were shown to reduce the inflammatory cytokine activation, leading to improved insulin sensitivity. Source. Those with diabetes had a gut microbiome composition that had reduced bacterial diversity, a lower number of butyrate-producing bacteria (i.e., Roseburia and Faecalibacterium), and a low abundance of beneficial bacteria (i.e., Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia). Source.

Dementia & Alzheimer's: Research has found that certain gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by means of a high-fiber diet, which is important since SCFAs have anti-inflammatory properties and have been found to improve memory in animals. One study showed that disruptive changes in the gut, especially due to decreased microbiota diversity in an aging person, occur before any amyloid deposits can be seen in the brain, which is highly significant since amyloid deposits are associated with the development of neurological diseases. The research team demonstrated that SCFAs could rejuvenate an aged microbiome by administering SCFA-producing bacteria and a prebiotic called inulin. Source. Another study determined that vitamin supplements with the most significant impact on gut microbiota were vitamin B‐12 and folic acid, which can produce both favorable and potentially negative changes depending on the individuals gut microbiome composition. Source.