Did you know that your body houses an entire army ready to defend you against everyday aggressions? We tell you all about it!
Our human organism is home to about 10 trillion bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. That is to say, about the number of cells that make up our body.
This non-pathogenic whole, constitutes the microbiota or intestinal flora. There are different microbiota: skin, mouth, vagina, lungs; the gut microbiota is the most populated of them.
To each his own microbiota!
Like a fingerprint, the intestinal microbiota is unique to each individual. Of the 160 species of bacteria present in the intestinal lumen, only half are commonly found in all individuals and only 15 to 20 species are thought to be responsible for the essential functions of the microbiota.
It is now estimated that the maternal microbiota plays a determining role in the health of an individual. At birth, the microbiota of an individual is gradually formed, firstly through contact with the vaginal and faecal flora of the mother, after a vaginal delivery, or through contact with microorganisms from the environment, in the case of a caesarean birth. During the first years of life, the composition of the intestinal microbiota will evolve qualitatively and quantitatively, under the influence of dietary diversification, genetics, the level of hygiene, medical treatments received and the environment. Later on, the fluctuation of sexual hormones (testosterone and estrogens) can have an influence on the composition of the microbiota as well as diseases, medical treatments, changes in lifestyle or diet.
In recent years, the evolution of technologies has allowed researchers to deepen their studies and understanding of the relationships between the different populations that make up this microbiota. The metabolic balance that exists between mycoses, viruses and bacteria represents an ecosystem in its own right. We now know that it plays a role in digestive, metabolic, immune and neurological functions. Consequently, dysbiosis, i.e. alteration of the microbiota, is a serious lead to explain certain diseases, especially autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Indeed, cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases (atherosclerosis, hypertension, stroke...) and cardio-metabolic diseases (diabetes, obesity) have a multi-factorial origin, both genetic, nutritional and environmental. The respective share of these factors varies from one individual to another. However, it appears more and more clearly that the intestinal microbiota plays a role in their genesis. It is also known that long-term antibiotic treatment can have an impact on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Indeed, antibiotic treatment reduces the quality and quantity of the microbiota over several days, even weeks. The species present before the treatment are able to recover to a large extent, but differences may remain and thus alter the balance of the entire ecosystem. Also, repeated antibiotic treatments during life seem to induce a progressive and definitive evolution of the microbiota, potentially deleterious. In addition, there is the impact of pesticides and additives present in our daily diet...
Some metabolic wastes of the microbiota, such as trimethylamine, could promote the formation of atherosclerotic plaques after having undergone an oxidation at the time of its passage in the liver through the bloodstream.
In cases of obesity, there is a chronic inflammation favored by the increase of fats in the diet. The latter increase the proportion of Gram-negative bacteria in the intestine and therefore the local level of Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) which is an antigen produced by certain bacteria in case of inflammation. The LPS is then able to pass into the bloodstream, the liver, fatty tissue, muscle ... where it promotes the installation of chronic inflammation at low noise. This will, in turn, promote the development of insulin resistance, a prerequisite for diabetes.
How to take care of your microbiota
As you will have understood, the healthiest possible diet is to be favored. But you can also act on the composition of your microbiota with probiotics, which you can take once or twice a year as a maintenance treatment or after each course of antibiotic therapy. There is a wide variety of products in pharmacies offering probiotics. Also, don't hesitate to change laboratories, which will allow for a greater variety of strains for the reseeding of your intestinal flora!
Nevertheless, if a digestive discomfort persists (whatever it is) do not hesitate to resort to osteopathy. Osteopaths work on visceral mobility as well as on the nervous system, which can alter the digestive function. Acupuncture can also help you. As well as in case of persistent inflammation, magnetic therapy can be a great ally, whatever the method of application of the magnets... in a magnetic belt or applied directly to the abdomen.
In case of chronic disorders, it is sometimes beneficial to use food supplements such as L- Glutamine, especially in the context of the permeability of the intestinal mucosa, in synergy with minerals to fight against tissue oxidation (which causes inflammation).