Gut and Intestinal Health

Maintaining Gut Flora Balance

For individuals with stomach issues, can maintaining gut flora balance promote and improve gut health?

Gut Flora Balance

Maintaining gut flora balance is part of optimal digestive health. Gut microbiota, gut microbiome, or gut flora, are the microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses that live in the digestive tract. The type and amount of bacteria present depend on their location in the body which could be the small intestine and colon. This is the storage housing for waste/stool, and the colon comprises hundreds of different types of bacteria, which have specific jobs and functions.

Unhealthy Flora

The more common pathogens are bacteria that can cause illness if left unchecked, including germs like streptococcus/strep throat or E. coli/urinary tract infections and diarrhea. Other common germs found in the colon include: (Elizabeth Thursby, Nathalie Juge. 2017)

Clostridioides Difficile

  • C. diff overgrowth can cause watery foul-smelling stools daily, and abdominal pain and tenderness.

Enterococcus Faecalis

  • Enterococcus faecalis is a cause of post-surgical abdominal and urinary tract infections.

Escherichia Coli

  • E. coli is the most common cause of diarrhea in adults.
  • This bacteria is present in almost every healthy adult’s colon.

Klebsiella

  • Klebsiella overgrowth is associated with a Western diet that consists of various meat and animal products.

Bacteroides

  • Bacteroide overgrowth is associated with colitis, which causes painful inflammation of the colon.

Healthy Flora

Healthy bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, help maintain gut flora balance and keep the unhealthy bacteria in check. Without healthy flora, the entire colon can become overrun by bad flora, which can result in symptoms like diarrhea and/or illness. (Yu-Jie Zhang, et al., 2015) These protective, microscopic germs have important functions that include:

  • Assisting with vitamin synthesis – vitamins B and K in the small intestine.
  • Increases immune system function.
  • Maintaining regular bowel movements.
  • Maintaining a clean colon naturally without the need for colon cleansers.
  • Destroying the unhealthy bacteria.
  • Preventing unhealthy bacteria overgrowth.
  • Breaking up gas bubbles from food fermentation.

Bacterial Dismantling

Whether labeled as healthy bacteria or unhealthy, they are both single-celled organisms that can be destroyed quite easily. Sometimes, it is necessary, like when having to take antibiotics to kill a strep throat infection. However, the antibiotics also kill the beneficial bacteria, which can lead to compounding problems that can include: (Mi Young Yoon, Sang Sun Yoon. 2018)

  • Bowel irregularity – diarrhea and constipation.
  • Yeast overgrowth – can cause itching, burning around the anus and lead to vaginal and oral yeast infections.
  • Dysbiosis – the technical name for a lack of healthy bacteria or a bacterial imbalance.
  • Complications for individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.

There are different ways to destroy bacteria including.

  • Individuals who need to take antibiotics to cure an infection. (Eamonn M M Quigley. 2013)
  • Chronic laxative use.
  • Fiber supplementation overuse.
  • Prolonged diarrhea – can flush out the bad and good bacteria.
  • Stress
  • Completing a bowel prep, like those required for a colonoscopy.

Diagnosing Gut Flora Issues

Many times, problems with gut flora will correct themselves, and no action is required. However, individuals facing chronic bowel problems, like colitis or inflammatory bowel disease, may require medical intervention of their colon’s bacteria.

  • Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis/CDSA is a stool test that checks what type and amount of bacteria are present, nutrient absorption rates/digestion speed, and how well food is digested.
  • If there is a significant difference in the proportion of unhealthy versus beneficial bacteria, a healthcare provider may suggest taking a probiotic or a live microbial supplement to help repopulate and maintain gut flora balance.

Gut Dysfunction


References

Thursby, E., & Juge, N. (2017). Introduction to the human gut microbiota. The Biochemical journal, 474(11), 1823–1836. doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20160510

Zhang, Y. J., Li, S., Gan, R. Y., Zhou, T., Xu, D. P., & Li, H. B. (2015). Impacts of gut bacteria on human health and diseases. International journal of molecular sciences, 16(4), 7493–7519. doi.org/10.3390/ijms16047493

Yoon, M. Y., & Yoon, S. S. (2018). Disruption of the Gut Ecosystem by Antibiotics. Yonsei medical journal, 59(1), 4–12. doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2018.59.1.4

Quigley E. M. (2013). Gut bacteria in health and disease. Gastroenterology & hepatology, 9(9), 560–569.

Post Disclaimer

General Disclaimer *

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on this entire blog site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, MSN-FNP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Β 

Recent Posts

The Benefits of a Push-Pull Workout for Maximized Results

Can a push-pull workout routine be an option for individuals who want focused training on… Read More

February 6, 2025

Rotator Cuff Pain: Physical Therapy and Non-surgical Approaches

Could older individuals who do not have symptoms of shoulder pain or loss of shoulder… Read More

February 5, 2025

Exploring the Flavorful World of Rice Noodles

Can incorporating rice noodles be a healthy alternative to traditional pasta for individuals looking to… Read More

February 4, 2025

Managing Lower Back Pain with Standing Flexion Exercises

Could incorporating standing lumbar flexion exercise into a daily routine help decrease pain and improve… Read More

February 3, 2025

How Sparkling Water Can Boost Your Health

Can individuals add sparkling water to their diet to help lower blood sugar and aid… Read More

January 31, 2025

Headaches and Neck Pain: Causes and Effective Solutions

Could individuals who are having headaches with neck pain need emergency treatment or need to… Read More

January 30, 2025