The Microbiome

The media is filled with stories about the microbiome, a very hot research topic which thousands of scientists worldwide are pursuing. The microbiome is defined as the genome(gene pool) of the micro-organisms which populate the body. Most of these are bacteria in the bowel, especially the colon. The importance of the microbiome was not appreciated until the last couple of decades during which time it has been discovered that our bowel organisms control our overall health and well being. It has been estimated that up to 90% of all disease is related to problems with the microbiome.

A poor quality microbiome leads to a "leaky gut" in which unhealthy materials enter through the bowel wall. Close association with auto-immune and heart disease, dementia, cancer and obesity have been documented. Experiments with lab animals have shown radical personality change by modifying bowel organisms. Taking bowel organisms from people with irritable bowel syndrome and giving them to lab animals causes the same syndrome in the lab animals plus anxiety.

The major determinant of a healthy bowel flora is what is eaten. The foods listed in the prior blog on inflammation have the same effect on bowel flora. Refined vegetable oils, dairy, refined carbohydrates, meat and eggs damage bowel flora. Whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables improve it. Again, the recurrent theme "you are what you eat" is confirmed.

The army of researchers working on the microbiome receive funding to find a drug or patentable superfood which will improve the microbiome. Fast and processed food companies plus the drug industry support these efforts when every scientist in this field knows that a diet emphasizing whole plant foods and whole grains resolves the problem. Again business interests are controlling behavior and obscuring the obvious inexpensive solution to a poor quality microbiome. We are being manipulated by for-profit businesses.