The hygiene hypothesis states that a lack of exposure to microorganisms—both beneficial and potentially harmful—during early childhood increases susceptibility to development of allergic diseases by creating an imbalance in immune system development. Brenda has blogged on the topic before, and I’ve blogged about immune balance.

A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has found that gut diversity in infancy helps protect against the development of allergies.¹ The study involved 40 children: 20 with atopic eczema, and 20 children with no health conditions. Stool samples were collected from each child at one month and twelve months of age, and the DNA of bacteria present in the infants’ guts was identified. The diversity of gut microflora at one month of age was significantly greater in the healthy children than in those children who later developed allergies.

The researchers suggested that in the absence of stimuli from a diverse array of microbes, the immune system may overreact against harmless antigens in the environment, such as food. I have blogged on the topic of food sensitivities, as well, highlighting the importance of maintaining immune balance with a good balance of gut bacteria.

So how do infants acquire gut bacterial diversity? First, by vaginal delivery, through which they are inoculated with protective bacteria from their mother (which works best if mom is on a plant-based diet, eating prebiotic foods, and taking probiotics throughout the pregnancy); second, by breastfeeding, which delivers yet more beneficial bacteria and prebiotics to feed the beneficial bacteria establishing in the baby’s gut; three, without the use of unnecessary antibiotics, which decrease gut bacterial diversity; and four, with a healthy diet consumed by the mother. When any of these factors cannot be optimized, probiotics formulated for infants can help build the beneficial bacteria in the gut.

References

1.  T.R. Abrahamsson, et al., “Low diversity of the gut microbiota in infants with atopic eczema.” J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Dec 6. [Epub ahead of print].

Leonard Smith, M.D.

Dr. Leonard Smith is a prominent Board-Certified, general, gastrointestinal and vascular surgeon who had a successful private practice for 25 years. In addition to his active surgery practice, he also incorporated lifestyle, diet, supplementation, exercise, detoxification, and stress management into many of the therapies he would prescribe. Many of his patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other serious illnesses did so well under his treatment regimes that he began to devote most of his career to foundational health care and preventive medicine.

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Atrazine is the most widely used herbicide in the United States. Over 75 million pounds of it are applied to corn and other crops, many in the Midwest. Atrazine is the most common pesticide contaminant found in groundwater, surface water, and rain in the United States. A recent study has found that women living in areas where atrazine water contamination is found are more likely to experience menstrual irregularities than women living in regions where there is no contamination.

I have blogged on the adverse hormonal effects of atrazine before. It has been found to turn male frogs into females, even at low concentrations. In 2009 atrazine was also linked to low birth weight in Indiana newborns, and menstrual irregularities have been found in women exposed to atrazine through agricultural work.

In this new study, women from two different cities in Illinois were compared with women from two different cities in Vermont. Illinois has the highest rates of atrazine water contamination, though the levels found in the study were still under limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The women in the Illinois cities were almost five times more likely to report irregular periods than the Vermont women, and more than six times more likely to go more time between periods.

Emily Barrett, a reproductive health scientist at the University of Rochester in New York stated, “These types of changes to hormone concentration and ovarian function could potentially lead to problems with fertility.” The study did not look at fertility, but hopefully more studies will address this.

Atrazine is sprayed on 75 percent of corn, as well as other crops. Corn is used in so many foods, and is used to make so many different ingredients in foods. This week, start reading your food labels to discover how widespread corn is. Then, take measures to replace the largest sources of non-organic corn with organic corn in your diet. It’s worth it. We’ve got to reduce our chemical exposure. Eating organic, when possible, is a big way to do that.

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The atopic diseases of childhood—Eczema, asthma and rhinitis (nasal allergies)—are increasingly more common, especially in developed countries like the US. One of the main explanations for this increase is known as the Hygiene Hypothesis (I’ve mentioned it before.) The Hygiene Hypothesis states that children who grow up in ultra-clean environments lack the immune-building contact with everyday microbes. This lack of microbial interaction results in underdeveloped immune systems that lead to immune dysfunction.

Eczema, asthma and rhinitis all involve immune dysfunction. If an infant has one of these conditions, she is more likely to develop another one later in life. For example, many children with Eczema during infancy go on to develop asthma in later childhood. Further, if a parent has an atopic disease then the child is more likely to also be affected by an atopic disease.

A recent study found that a combination of probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (soluble fibers that feed probiotics) reduced asthma-like symptoms in infants with Eczema. In this study, 90 infants under 7 months of age received infant formula either with the synbiotic (pre- and probiotic) or just infant formula for 12 weeks. One year later, the infants in the group receiving the pre- and probiotics had a 20 to 28 percent lower risk of asthma symptoms.

Researchers are still trying to determine just how this works, but it is known that gut microbial balance works to “educate” the immune system, over 70 percent of which resides in the gut. A proper gut microbial balance plays a big role in early immune development. Truly, optimal gut health is the foundation of total body health.

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Omega-3 fatty acids are wonder nutrients that offer many benefits to the body, from head to toe. Now, even the mouth is included in the long list of body areas that function better after intake of omega-3s.

A recent study found that a moderate, daily intake of the omega-3s DHA and EPA (found in marine sources, usually fish oil) was associated with up to a 20 percent decreased risk of gum disease (periodontitis).

Gum disease is an inflammatory disease that is caused by microorganisms like the bacteria Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Usually antibiotics are prescribed in an effort to eliminate these bacteria, but other treatments have been used that target the inflammation of gum disease, like scaling and root planing (ouch!) and in extreme cases surgery.   

Omega-3s are most known for their anti-inflammatory effects, so it is not surprising that they would help quell inflammation in the mouth. Additionally, this study also found that omega-3 fatty acids also demonstrated antibacterial activity against oral pathogens.

The mouth is the very beginning of the digestive tract, and the bacterial balance in the mouth is proving to be more important than previously thought. In fact, gum disease is also associated with the development of heart disease! Everything is connected, folks, and it all goes back to the gut!

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 Constipation is a common childhood condition, unfortunately. Even worse is the mainstream definition of constipation—less than three bowel movements per week. Say what! If you or little Johnny are only pooping three times a week, we’ve got a problem. Regular elimination helps remove toxins from the system. And the longer feces sit in the colon the more toxic it gets!

A recent study evaluated the effect of the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve in children with constipation. Twenty children between the ages of 3 and 16 took the probiotic daily for a 4-week period. Bowel movement frequency and stool consistency improved significantly in these children. That means their constipation improved. The results of this pilot trial are promising, and will lead to a larger randomized controlled trial.  

Bifidobacteria are the most prevalent probiotic bacteria in the large intestine, or colon, of children. Normal bifidobacteria colonization occurs when babies are born vaginally, and is improved during breastfeeding. Antibiotic treatment can interfere with colonization, especially during the first months and years of life. Maintaining a healthy balance of bifidobacteria is associated with intestinal health, which is the foundation of total body health.

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Renew You Challenge

Let’s start this week off right!

Weekly challenge (I mean, opportunity!) to help set you off on the right foot and in the right direction for bringing health to your week. You could even add it to your calendar. Join us!

I talk all the time about the gut connection to other areas of the body—like when your gut is out of balance and it affects your brain, your skin or your joints. I also talk about the many ways your gut becomes imbalanced in the first place—like with antibiotics, acid blocking medications, poor diet, and stress.

Yes, even stress affects your gut. Stress-relieving therapies are high on my list of things to include in a healthy lifestyle. It has been known for a while now that stress can throw the gut out of balance. A recent study follows up on this by showing that not only do gut bacteria levels change with stress, but those changes also affect immunity.

The researchers of this study plan to further evaluate whether gut microbial changes are the reason that certain diseases worsen under stress. It’s a vicious cycle—stress alters the gut microbiota, which leads to worsening of symptoms, which adds more stress… and on and on.

Break the cycle. Find some kind of stress-relieving activity, like massage, meditation, yoga, tai chi, exercise—anything that brings you calm. This is an essential part of your well-being. After you’ve done that, make sure your gut also has the right support with probiotics. Break the cycle.

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It is well known that probiotics are beneficial for the digestive tract. Indeed, these beneficial gut bacteria outnumber cells in the body (and their genes GREATLY outnumber our own genes).

Scientists have taken the research of probiotics beyond the gut lately, finding that their effects are far reaching. A recent study in pregnant women found that daily administration of two probiotic strains—Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis—along with dietary counseling during the first trimester of pregnancy resulted in reduced waist circumferences six months after giving birth.

Three groups were involved; one taking probiotics along with counseling, one taking a placebo along with counseling, and one taking a placebo without counseling. The probiotic + counseling group had the lowest percentage of women with waists measuring over 31.5 inches at the end of the study.

It has long been known that probiotics are beneficial during pregnancy, both for mom and baby, and studies continue to support their many advantages.  I recently talked about probiotics protecting against development of gestational diabetes.

Research of probiotics and metabolic outcomes like abdominal fat and weight loss is relatively new. With obesity rates at an all-time high, going back to the gut in order to build a strong foundation of health is essential. Whether pregnant or not, when our guts are out of balance, the rest of the body suffers. Begin with balancing the gut, and good health for the rest of the body will follow.

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A recent Cochrane Systematic Review, which involves an extensive review of the scientific literature, found that probiotics are effective at reducing diarrhea. The results were similar across all 63 different trials that were analyzed.

A separate review was done for trials involving children with persistent diarrhea. Though only four trials were available for review, results showed that probiotics can reduce the length of time of an episode of persistent diarrhea.

Diarrhea often occurs as a result of infection by many different organisms. This results in a big imbalance in the ratio of good to bad bacteria, so probiotics, (also known as good bacteria), are sometimes recommended as a way to repopulate the gut and bring balance back to the intestines. Indeed, if the Cochrane Review is confirming this, you can’t get more mainstream than that. 

More research needs to be done on specific strains of bacteria and on preventing the progression from short-term to persistent diarrhea. But probiotic therapy can be used safely in addition to rehydration fluids, which are also given during diarrhea treatment.

Diarrhea can be a serious condition. If you are experiencing an episode of diarrhea, talk with your doctor about taking probiotics to help rebalance your gut.

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I like to call the proper balance of gut bacteria your “GPS”—your Gut Protection System. Your GPS works to: protect your intestinal lining; “crowd out” and neutralize the harmful bacteria; and influence the immune system so that it responds in the proper way to harmful invaders like bacteria, toxins, and even undigested food particles.

Your GPS might not be properly balanced—and you may not even know it. Sure, some people experience obvious digestive symptoms like gas and bloating, or heartburn, but some people don’t exhibit digestive symptoms, yet still have a gut imbalance. A malfunctioning GPS can have far-reaching health consequences. For example, many mood disorders, like depression and anxiety, are closely linked to gut health. Rheumatoid arthritis—how much further from the gut could you get?—is also known to be associated with gut imbalances. The list goes on and on. Read about it in my new book, The Road to Perfect Health, available exclusively through my PBS special of the same title. (Check your local PBS listings for show times.)

So, how does your GPS malfunction? Well, there are a number of ways. I’ll highlight some here:

Exposure to chemicals

• Certain medications (like antibiotics and acid-suppressing medications)
• Over processed and refined foods (I call them Dead Foods)
• Low stomach acid

In today’s world, it can be hard to avoid some of these triggers. That’s why it’s best to balance your gut with beneficial probiotic bacteria to get your GPS up and running. As I say: Balance your gut, heal your body.

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Been on an antibiotic any time in the last two years? Well, the antibiotics may still be affecting you. Even short courses of antibiotics can leave antibiotic-resistant genes in the bacteria that remain in the gut for up to two years. Previously, antibiotics were thought to have a short-term effect on gut microflora. It was thought that after a short period of wiping out the bacteria, the gut bacteria would reestablish the same levels as before the antibiotic within a few weeks.

Turns out, that’s not the case. A review published in the journal Microbiology found that antibiotic-resistant genes were at very high levels just seven days after antibiotic treatment, but those genes persisted in some cases for up to two years, even in individuals who had taken no further antibiotics. The researchers call for “rational antibiotic administration guidelines to be put in place.”

This week, renew your gut. If you suspect that antibiotics may have wreaked havoc on your gut microflora, take a high quality, high potency, multi-strain probiotic to support healthy gut balance.

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