The gut microbiome consists of a complex set of microbial communities that shape human physiology in multiple ways, both subtle and profound. Two-thirds of the body’s lymphocytes reside in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) or traverse GALT and return home to other organs. Interaction between gut microbes and GALT creates a basal state of immune activation that starts at the mucosal surface and impacts the entire body. The composition and metabolic activity of intestinal microbes yields effects that promote inflammation and that help resolve inflammation. These effects result from the impact of structural components of microbial cells (e.g., lipopolysaccharides) and metabolites of microbial enzyme activity (e.g., butyrate, hydrogen sulfide). Recent studies have shown that T-lymphocyte function is especially sensitive to the bacterial composition of the microbiome.
The structure and function of the gut microbiome is molded by personal genetics, diet, co-habitation, environmental toxins, hygiene, personal care products, psychosocial stress, intercurrent infections, vitamin D, tryptophan metabolites, nutritional status, medications, herbs, probiotics, and prebiotics. Disturbances in the ecology of the microbiome/host relationship create a condition called dysbiosis, which influences the development and the outcome of many different diseases. The ability to recognize and correct dysbiosis is a skill that can help clinicians improve the outcomes of infectious, allergic, and autoimmune disorders and may aid the immunotherapy of malignancy.
The webinar recording lasts 59 minutes, including a Q & A session.
