The National Institute of Health (NIH) defines the microbiome this way:
“The microbiome is the collection of all microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes, that naturally live on our bodies and inside us. Although microbes require a microscope to see them, they contribute to human health and wellness in many ways. They protect us against pathogens, help our immune system develop, and enable us to digest food to produce energy. Some microbes alter environmental chemicals in ways that make them more toxic, while others act as a buffer and make environmental chemicals less toxic.
The critical role of the microbiome is not surprising when considering that there are as many microbes as there are human cells in the body. The human microbiome is diverse and each body site – for example, the gut, skin, and oral and nasal cavities – is home to a unique community of microbes. A person’s core microbiome is formed in the first few years of life, but can change over time in response to different factors including diet, medications, and a variety of environmental exposures.
Differences in the microbiome may lead to different health effects from environmental exposures and may also help determine individual susceptibility to certain illnesses. Environmental exposures can also disrupt a person’s microbiome in ways that could increase the likelihood of developing conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease.”
The microbiome, which I’d never heard of until a few years ago, is now getting a lot of attention as doctors and scientists learn that it not only affects stomach issues such as acid reflux, irritable bowel and other digestive disorders, related only to what one eats and drinks. It is being shown that stress and anxiety (stress leads to more stomach issues and stomach issues lead to more stress) and a variety of environmental issues are inter-related, as well.
Of course, what we eat and drink has a huge affect on our microbiome or “gut health” and a whole new medical and naturopath industry has been created as a result of the health issues people are having. Fortunately, we are hearing that many people have been able to switch their diets, weaning themselves off of highly processed foods and in many cases moving to a plant based diet.
If you have a serious stomach health issue, please see a medical professional to help you sort through the myriad of information, but don’t think you have to accept a lifetime of taking traditional pills.
I was suffering from frequent bouts with acid reflux, to the point of having an endoscopy to check the damage to my esophagus and starting a prescription for a common acid reflux drug. I was concerned with the long-term affects of the drug and didn’t really want to take any meds anyway, so I am fortunate to have (easily) weaned myself off of the drugs and endoscopies, through a plant based diet. I didn’t eat too much in the way of processed foods, except those darn deserts, but I did eat a bit too much on occasion and sometimes snacked too late at night. It seemed I got the acid reflux after the “best” meals. It was probably the great sauces and the 3rd helpings of meat that got me. I have not had to become a ‘hard core vegan’ to kick acid reflux, meaning we still eat meat or dairy when we travel or eat at a friend’s house, but then I can’t say I miss meat or cheese either. There are too many great plant based alternatives out there.
There are a couple of things that can give you some temporary relief:
- Try not to eat to close to bedtime. This is what got me in trouble.
- If you have reflux now or have a rich meal coming up, instead of pills, drink a Kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented tea so, if you don’t like caffeine, try GT’s ( GTs ) Kombucha. We love it.
- Other fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi may help
It pains me to mention this, but the experts always recommend cutting out alcohol. Since I have not done this, I guess I can’t tell you how well that works.
The science of the microbiome, or gut health, is very extensive and complex. We will bring you more information as we learn more.