What is intestinal microflora? Causes and effects of intestinal microflora disorders

The human microbiome is a set of microbiocenoses, populations of microorganisms that colonize various ecosystems of our body, e.g. the microbiota of the intestines, oral cavity, vagina, nose, ear and skin. The largest part of them, over 60%, lives in the digestive tract. It is estimated that the microbiome consists of over one hundred trillion microorganisms with a total weight of approximately 2.5 kg. Due to its metabolic functions, production of vitamins and nutrients, neurotransmitters and impact on our life and health, it is often called the second brain.

The functions of the intestinal microflora are extremely diverse and not yet fully known, but one of the most important is the fight against pathogens and conditionally pathogenic organisms. The interactions of the members of the microbiome are extremely complex and interact in a wide variety of ways. This system functions efficiently, reaping mutual benefits, on one condition: maintaining homeostasis (balance) of the body, i.e. maintaining proper functioning even in the event of deviations related to diet, stress, toxins or taking medications. Any crossing of this limit will result in disease, despite the high plasticity and variability of our microbiome.

In addition, intestinal microflora is the most important immunostimulator and immunomodulator, i.e. it "teaches" our body how to fight infections. It stimulates the lymphatic and endocrine systems, the synthesis of immunoglobulins, interferon and anti-inflammatory hormones. Increases macrophage activity, complement and lysozyme levels. All this prevents the reproduction of conditionally pathogenic microflora in the intestines. Another important function is the powerful potential to synthesize essential vitamins: K, B group and folic acid. It controls the absorption of calcium, phosphorus, amino acids, the absorption and metabolism of vitamin D, selenium, zinc, iodine, copper and iron. It regulates intestinal peristalsis, metabolizes proteins, carbohydrates, fats and fiber and many others. In other words, our immunity and health depend on the proper composition of the gastrointestinal microbiome.

Causes of intestinal microflora disorders

- long-term, sudden and very severe stress,

- pharmacotherapy, i.e. antibiotics, hormonal drugs, immunosuppressants, cytostatics or other synthetic pharmaceuticals,

- cancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiotherapy),

- eating food containing chemical preservatives, dyes, sweeteners, residues of artificial fertilizers, toxic plant protection products or glyphosate,

- monotonous and one-sided diet, for example with excess carbohydrates or fats,

- low consumption of fresh raw and organic vegetables and products containing fiber,

- too low acidity of stomach contents,

- long-term and intense physical activity or its complete lack,

- low consumption of good quality water,

- polluted air,

- delivery by cesarean section,

- vaccinations in children under 2 years of age,

- excessive hygiene,

- ionizing radiation,

- antibacterial cosmetics.

Effects of intestinal microbiota disorders

Loss of control over the activity of pathogenic or pathogenic microorganisms such as Klebsiella, Yersinia, Candida, pathogenic E.coli and many others leads to their domination. This intensifies putrefaction and fermentation processes in the intestines, triggering the formation of toxic metabolites. In anaerobic conditions, under the influence of the activity of most anaerobic bacteria, the end products of protein metabolites are organic acids - amines, ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulfide, indole, skatole, etc. Some of them only have an unpleasant odor, others are harmful and even poisonous. The multiplication of conditionally pathogenic and pathogenic bacteria is accompanied by their spread to the small intestine, causing its excessive growth (SIBO), and in the duodenum, destabilization of the beneficial dominance of H. pylori. The multiplication of pathogenic bacteria causes a loss of health-promoting bacteria, which leads to all kinds of disorders. For example, the loss of the Akkermansia municifila bacteria in the large intestine results in the loss of its mucous layer and the deactivation of the Fecalibacterium preusnitzi bacteria that produce butyric acid, which serves as an important neurotransmitter with an inhibitory effect in the entire nervous system. The loss of the mucous layer is the beginning of inflammation, which induces the development of most chronic diseases, including infections, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies and cancer.

An increase in the number of pathogenic bacteria, as well as other factors that destroy the mucous layer, lead to chronic intestinal inflammation. Digestive enzymes are destroyed and digestion is disturbed. Nutrients are consumed in excess by microorganisms, which leads to the development of nutritional deficiencies despite normal nutrition. Reduced vitamin synthesis leads to their deficiency, and impaired absorption and biotransformation in the stomach and intestines - to micro and macro element deficiencies.

Probiotic in maintaining proper intestinal microflora

Lactobacillus bacteria help normalize the microbiome. They make the intestines function much better, kill dangerous bacteria, viruses and fungi; they reduce the amount of toxins and other harmful substances in the body because they inhibit their penetration. A specific strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus Er-2 317/402 Narie bacteria has anti-clastogenic, antigenotoxic and anti-cancer properties.

Probiotics are often used to treat various functional disorders and diseases of the digestive system. They can be used, for example, for stool disorders. They also help reduce the incidence of diarrhea when taking antibiotics. Probiotic medications are very helpful in the treatment and prevention of chronic diarrhea. Probiotics help stabilize intestinal function, reduce visceral sensitivity and gas production in the intestine. Additionally, they will reduce muscle dysfunction and intestinal neuroregulation disorders. Probiotics should be used therapeutically and prophylactically in all diseases in which restoring the balance of microflora is crucial.