Autoimmune Disease and The Microbiome
It has been hypothesized that the increasing incidence of autoimmune diseases is due to considerable shifts in the gut microbiota among multifactorial reasons following dietary changes and the widespread use of antibiotics.
Autoimmune Diseases most commonly diagnosed today include:
1. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohns & Colitis)
3. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
4. Rheumatoid Arthritis
5. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
6. Psoriasis
7. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
8. Graves Disease
Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been identified as a potential factor that causes autoimmune diseases, which in humans are attributed to multiple factors (including genetics).
Abundant evidence suggests that the gut microbiota may be involved in the initiation and amplification of disease progression in patients with autoimmune diseases. Emerging research can further identify certain strains of bacteria to have an association with specific Autoimmune disease.
This can be seen in cases of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) where high levels of Akkermansia Muciniphillia and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus where observed in the gut and lower levels of Parabacteroides distasonis (1.)
A study conducted on mice with Rheumatoid arthritis reported an abundance of Bacteroidaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and S24-7 strains of bacteria promoted symptoms whereas a reduction of symptoms was witnessed when a strain of Lactobacillus salivarius was administered to the mice (2).
Thankfully, modern technologies which study the human genome, including that of the human gut microbiome have shined an amazing light on a once dark area of research and opened a window into the abundant world of the gut microbiome, to better identify an individual’s personal gut habitation and confirm the exact type of dysbiosis present, in order for it to be treated accordingly with personalised Nutrition and lifestyle to support a healthy balance of a dysregulated microbiome and provide a positive rollover effect to any Autoimmune disease symptoms.
For more info on microbiome testing or treatment of Autoimmune disease, please DM on Instagram or contact me via email through my website.
In health and love
Deena
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