CLINICAL
GASTROENTEROLOGY
THE ‘GUT MICROBIOTA DECADE’
The past 10 years have seen remarkable gains in knowledge about the gut microbiota, thanks to major gut microbiota research
projects in the US, Europe, and Asia.
According to Dr Joël Doré,
Research Director at the French
Research Institute in Agricultural
Sciences (INRA): "The tools we can
use to assess the microbiome and
thereby try and understand 'man-
microbe symbiosis' have gained
in resolution and sensitivity." For
Prof James Versalovic, Pathologist-
in-Chief at Texas Children's Hospital
and professor of Pathology at Baylor
College of Medicine (US), “The US
Human Microbiome Project has
provided a new perspective on the body
of a healthy human through the study
of its associated microorganisms. Each
body site, including the intestine, has a
distinct microbial community.”
Increasing data supports the idea
that the human body is not complete
without microbes - especially the
microbes living in the intestinal tract.
Given the unique functions of the gut
microbiota, some have described it as
a ‘supra organ’ that should be afforded
the same level of attention as any other
part of the body.
"The gut microbiota is essential
for any mammal, including humans,
to fully develop its intestine, immune
system, vascular system and nervous
system,” Prof Versalovic points out. “In
other words, to be fully human requires
a diverse and fully functional gut
microbiome. It is not possible to discuss
human health today without describing
the role of gut microbiota in sustaining
and restoring human health.”
the mutualistic association with our
microbes. This probably contributed in a
marked way to the increase in incidence
of immune-mediated diseases we have
seen on the rise for more than 60 years
now, seemingly uncontrolled.”
Dr Doré points out that there are
three major elements of modern
lifestyle that have the strongest impact
on the human-microbe symbiosis:
nutrition, environmental exposures to
chemicals and drugs, and conditions
surrounding birth. When it comes
to nutrition, research shows an
unbalanced diet including a lack of
fibre could have detrimental effects on
One of the greatest challenges for human
wellbeing in the 21st century will be to focus
on the advantage of having a healthy colon and
therefore a good immune system – this is where
probiotics can play a significant role.
Probiotics are critical for normal digestion
and for defence against infection.
Bacteria in the gut are known to:
• Stimulate the immune system
• Enhance the mucosal barrier
• Aid digestion and break down toxins
• Inhibit adherence of pathogens
health through the gut microbiota. Dr
Doré says, “After 100 000 generations
receiving more than 60% of their
energy from plant-based food, over
2-3 generations we brought this down
to 10%.”
Modern day ailments such as
stress together with treatments
A good probiotic can be beneficial in the
following ailments:
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Bad breath, gas and bloating
• Irritable bowel and lactose intolerance
• Gastroenteritis and playschool diseases in
young children
MODERN LIFE: A KICK IN
THE GUT
In many disease conditions, from
functional bowel disorders and
inflammatory bowel disease to type
two diabetes and obesity, scientists find
a disruption of the normal microbial
community that leads to a breakdown
of host-microbe symbiosis - a condition
called ‘dysbiosis’. According to Dr Doré
"We changed many things over the
past few generations that were key to
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