What is Dysbiosis?

A Definition of Dysbiosis (Gut Dysbiosis)

Dysbiosis, or gut dysbiosis, is an imbalance of the bacteria in your gut that occurs for a variety of reasons, such as antibiotic therapy, illness, or eating a diet high in sugar. Your microbiota, or gut flora, weighs approximately four pounds and contains an estimated 400-1,000 different species of bacteria.

Some of the bacteria in the gut are friendly and play a key role in digestion and overall gastrointestinal health. However, non-beneficial organisms such as yeasts, fungi, parasites, and other microorganisms are also part of the microbiota. People with a healthy microbiota balance have a majority of beneficial bacteria; in contrast, those who suffer from dysbiosis have a reduced number of friendly bacteria, allowing harmful microbes to become the majority. This imbalance can lead to a range of dysbiosis symptoms, including digestive discomfort, bloating, irregular bowel movements, and weakened immune function.

Symptoms of Gut Dysbiosis

There are some health issues that commonly arise in people who suffer from dysbiosis. Dr. Elizabeth Lipski, author, integrative and holistic nutrition educator, and clinician, cites several serious health concerns that dysbiosis leads to, including arthritis, autoimmune illness, food allergies and sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and more.

While the symptoms of gut dysbiosis vary from individual to individual, there are some common symptoms that occur in individuals whose microbiota is out of balance:

• IBS-type digestive issues such as bloating, belching, abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation, heartburn, and diarrhea
• Mucus in the stool
• Frequent colds, flu, or sinus infections
• Skin problems such as acne, eczema, or rosacea
• Fatigue or chronic fatigue
• Depression or anxiety
• Fibromyalgia
• Allergies or food allergies and food sensitivities
• Mental fog or forgetfulness
• Lactose intolerance
• Bad breath and gum disease
• Chronic yeast problems or Candida overgrowth
• Behavioral or learning disorders or hyperactivity
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Acid reflux
• Lowered libido
• Burning in the mouth
• Anal itching
• Joint pain
• Nail fungi
• Cravings for sugar or alcohol
• Stomach bugs or food poisoning episodes

Causes of Dysbiosis

Gut dysbiosis may be caused by a number of factors, as the balance of the microbiota is delicate. Women who use birth control pills and people who use other types of hormones or immunosuppressants such as steroids are at an increased risk of developing dysbiosis. People who do not eat a healthy, balanced diet especially those who consume too much sugar are also at risk of having an imbalanced microbiota. Other causes of dysbiosis include drinking alcohol, experiencing psychological and physical stress, undergoing chemotherapy, frequently eating processed foods containing sulfates or sulfites, consuming artificial sweeteners, and following the Standard American diet, which is low in fiber and high in fat. An unhealthy gut microbiota may also contribute to systemic inflammation and immune imbalance, which can play a role in respiratory issues and may even be an underlying cause of dry cough in some individuals.

Antibiotic therapy is the most common cause of gut dysbiosis. Anytime that we take an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection, the antibiotic impacts the microbiota. While the impact of the antibiotic on the microbiota varies by dosage, length of administration, and its spectrum of activity, antibiotics are a significant cause of the alterations made to the microbiota. As a general rule, the longer you take an antibiotic, and the higher the dosage, the greater the impact on your intestinal flora.

Treatment of Dysbiosis

One of the best ways to treat gut dysbiosis is to take probiotic supplments daily, especially if you are prescribed antibiotic therapy. Probiotics deposit beneficial bacteria back into the microbiota, helping to reestablish balance. Probiotics also help to keep the immune system healthy because they support the bacteria  that are so important to strong immune responses.

Putting beneficial bacteria back in the gut is just as important as feeding it with foods that support their existence, so people with dysbiosis also benefit by taking prebiotics and eating fermented foods. There are several foods that benefit people with dysbiosis, including raw sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, vinegar, specific yogurts, onions, garlic, leeks, bananas, asparagus, oat bran, green tea, carrots, brown rice, and almonds.

But taking probiotics and eating foods containing prebiotics will not help people with dysbiosis if they do not change their overall diet. Eliminating sugary and starchy foods, processed foods, and cheeses and milk that are difficult to digest is one of the first steps nutritionists and doctors recommend for those diagnosed with dysbiosis. Supporting these dietary changes with a high-quality probiotic such as delPRO can further help restore healthy gut bacteria and improve digestive balance.

If you have digestive issues that you cannot explain or any of the other symptoms listed here and have not been feeling like yourself, especially during or after antibiotic therapy, you should consult with a physician and begin making changes to your diet and taking probiotics to start on the path toward a balanced microbiota.