AMR Future Brief| How Does Maintaining Good Gut Health Influence Overall Well-Being?
The human body contains trillions of bacteria and other microbes including viruses and fungi. These microbes are collectively called microbiomes. Some bacteria are associated with disease, while many are highly important for a strong immune system, heart, weight, and other aspects of health. The human gastrointestinal system includes the stomach, intestines, and colon. It plays a big role in absorbing nutrients from food and excreting waste. Approximately 200 different species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi are present in the large intestine of human beings. These bacteria and other microorganisms are known as gut microbiomes.
Why is gut health important?
Gut health is the foundation of a healthy human body. It boosts food digestion, absorbs nutrients properly, and further uses them to fuel various chemical reactions and maintain the body. An imbalanced gut leads to a poor immune system, and disturbed hormones, making it challenging for individuals to stay healthy. Moreover, the human gut is the area where the body disposes of metabolic wastes and toxins. So, if the gut health is not good, the body struggles to throw away these toxins. This further leads to many issues including chronic fatigue, illnesses, and inflammation throughout the body. A disturbed gut can also cause other health problems such as constipation, brain fog, gas, joint pain, and obesity.
Health conditions associated with gut microbiomes
Unbalanced gut microbiomes cause temporary or chronic infections in the human gut. They produce disease-causing organisms that lead to diarrhea, colitis, and toxic damage to the gut linings. Some of these pathogens directly invade gut barriers and escape into the bloodstream, which could be threatening.
On the other hand, small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) leads to dysbiosis among individuals. It is a certain health condition that arises when certain types of undesirable bacteria are overgrown. This disorder is also caused when bacteria from the large intestine have migrated and settled in the small intestine, resulting in slow gut motility.
Moreover, unbalanced gut microbiomes are also responsible for significant heart disease. When individuals eat food such as red meat or eggs, these unhealthy bacteria produce a byproduct called TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide). TMAO helps build up cholesterol in the blood vessels, contributing to atherosclerosis, which means hardening of arteries. Therefore, healthcare professionals perform cardiac blood tests to check whether this byproduct is present in the bloodstream and determine the risk of coronary artery disease.
How are fecal microbiota transplantation and gut-on-a-chip technology revolutionizing gastrointestinal treatments?
In the past few years, gut microbiome research has expanded exponentially with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). This advancement has provided notable insights into the theory between microbiome and human health. This technology has allowed scientists to explore how gut bacteria impact various bodily functions such as digestion, metabolism, immune system, and mental health. One of the most significant benefits of FMT is its successful way of treating gastrointestinal conditions like recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. It is a life-threatening bacterial infection that is resistant to conventional antibiotics. Introducing a healthy population of gut bacteria through FMT helps restore the microbial balance in the patient’s intestine. This further alleviates other chronic symptoms, promotes fast recovery, and helps combat antibiotic resistance. Nowadays, researchers are investigating to expand the use of FMT in treating other health conditions including Crohn’s disease, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel syndrome, and even neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and depression.
On the other hand, the rise of gut-on-a-chip technology has emerged as another important technology in this field. Such advanced systems allow for real-time monitoring of the integrity of intestinal barriers. In this technology, flexible electrodes are integrated into a microfluidic platform, enabling researchers to study how probiotics, dietary compounds, and drugs affect gut health without relying on animal testing. These cutting-edge devices offer insights into the interactions between gut epithelial cells and the microbiome, promoting the development of personalized medicine approaches for gut-related conditions.
Danone joined hands with Lifeway Foods to enhance health-focused dairy offerings
In September 2024, Danone SA, a French multinational food-products corporation announced its acquisition of Lifeway Foods, an Illinois-based health food company. With this acquisition, Lifeway Foods planned to expand its product portfolio to meet the growing demand for effective gut health products among consumers. Under this agreement, the company planned to enhance its offering, particularly within the health-focused dairy segment, boosting digestive health and nutritional wellness.
Endnote
Good gut health enables individuals to maintain a fit and healthy life. The rise of modern technologies such as gut-on-a-chip systems and fecal microbiota transplantation has created new approaches to better study intestinal health without the ethical concerns associated with animal testing. Furthermore, the growing occurrence of chronic health disorders such as pancreatic cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and IBS among individuals is expected to fuel the development of more effective ways to maintain good gut health in the coming years.
To know more about the emerging treatment alternatives for gut-related diseases, contact our industry specialists today. For any further assistance, you can also chat with them through our chat window.