The mighty microbiome
What is the microbiome?
The microbiome is a community of organisms that include bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. We have many microbiomes in our body and they are unique to the area they populate, these include a skin microbiome, lung microbiome, oral microbiome, and unique ones in the large and small intestines. The study of microbiomes first began in 2008 with the beginning of the Human Microbiome Project. Our study into these microbiomes was made possible by the development of DNA sequencing technology. This is because many of the bacteria from within our body, can’t be cultured outside of the body, but we can uncover their existence thanks to DNA technology.
What is the role of the microbiome?
This area of knowledge is constantly being updated due to continued research; we still have so much to learn. But the microbiome is this community living within us that uses us as their home but in return gives us benefits too, they are symbionts. These bacteria and organisms help to keep our gut lining and immune system healthy, they help to digest our food, support healthy mood, produce vitamins for us including B12, thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin K and help to protect us against infections and much more.
It's a fine balance
From the moment we are born, our microbiome is developing into what it will be, until the age of around 3 years. But even after this it is constantly changing and shifting depending on everything, including our diet, lifestyle, medications, the weather, our stress levels, our family around us, and other health challenges we are going through.
The microbiome consists of commensal bacteria that help to protect you as described above and they are the majority of the microbiome. There are also organisms known as potential pathogens. Meaning they are a healthy part of the microbiome when kept in check and at lower levels. But they can take advantage of an altered gut environment (eg. after antibiotic treatment) and start to increase in number and become pathogenic and harmful to our health.
How to support a healthy microbiome
From the Human Microbiome project, there are some key learnings about what leads to a healthier microbiome (remember each individual’s microbiome is completely unique).
1. Eating the widest range possible of plant foods- this will lead to the widest variety of fibres and starches entering your gut and becoming food for the bacteria, which keeps their diversity high, an important determining factor for a healthy microbiome.
2. Eating fresh whole foods- & minimising highly processed foods, as processed foods full of chemicals have negative impacts on our microbiome and gut lining.
3. Spending time outdoors- interacting with the environment, like gardening, camping, or spending the day in the forest, these places have such a diverse microbiome that benefits the health of our own.
4. Minimising the use of antibiotics- (and other drugs), as these can have very detrimental effects on the number and variety of organisms in our microbiome.
What is the health of your microbiome like?
Did you know that you can test your own microbiome and see what the balance of the microorganisms is like? With the help of DNA sequencing, you can take an “at-home test “to access your microbiome plus other markers to determine the health of your gut and digestive capacity. This can give great insight into what could be causing your digestive issues. I use testing with my patients to get key information on what we need to do to improve the health of their microbiome and gut environment.
If you want to complete a test like this, send me an email, as you want to use a therapeutically validated test, to know the information you obtain is accurate, reliable, reproducible, and clinically relevant.
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A bit about me!
I am Danielle Elliott a qualified Naturopath and the owner of Tummy Rescue.
I have been helping kids & adults improve their health for over 16 years, with the last 11 years concentrating on helping patients with any kind of gut disorder. I began focussing on everything gut related after my husband was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. And lucky I did……as my husband and both our kids have Coeliac Disease and my daughter has a dairy allergy.
So…. I am well and truly where I am meant to be!
I love being able to help people to soothe and calm their symptoms, investigate the causes and support and improve their gut function.
I also get to write educational pieces to train practitioners and am often interviewed for podcasts and summits, which is another really rewarding part of my work. I love educating people (this is something I do in every consult), because I do believe knowledge is power. It gives you the tools to make the changes you need to!
So, when you opt-in to my E-book, you are beginning on a journey of learning and discovery, of how you can reduce your symptoms of bloating, gas & pain and improve your gut health.
I would be honoured to help you along the way.
Danielle xoxo