Gut Microbiome

We were always told that bacteria make us sick. What if I told you that we are more likely to fall sick because of a lack of bacteria!? Yes, because bacteria are not all bad. In fact most bacteria are useful and the ones that cause infection are able to do so because of a lack of good bacteria (causing a poor immune response). A great example of this is your gut microbiome, a diverse and complex ‘jungle’ of a variety of bacteria, viruses and fungi living in your body, mainly the large intestine. You have more bacteria in your body than the number of body cells. In the last few decades, research in this field indicates that this microbiome plays a crucial role in immune function, mood regulation, hormonal balance, metabolic balance and the digestive function. A host of disease conditions seem directly related to a disturbance (called dysbiosis) in the microbiome.

Despite clear evidence that these bacteria are much needed for normal bodily functions, the use of antibiotics and other chemicals that directly and significantly destroy this precious organ has only been increasing with a matching trend of a rise in all chronic diseases. Antibiotics, once considered a life-saving boon to humanity, are fast turning out to be one of the gravest threats to human health by damaging the precious microbiome and by failing to combat infections due to antibiotic resistance. Read more here: WHO on Antibiotic resistance

Gut Microbiome And Homeopathy

Interestingly, long before modern science stumbled upon the gut microbiome, in the early 1900s, a British homeopath, pathologist and bacteriologist Edward Bach began to associate the presence of certain bacteria found in the large intestine with chronic disease processes. Within a few years, these organisms were classified into groups and prepared as homeopathic dilutions, and were named the 'bowel nosodes'. Right from the outset, homeopathic practitioners using them claimed great success in the treatment of all types of chronic disease.

Coming back to the microbiome, it starts to develop right from birth and evolves or degenerates depending on multiple factors. Some common factors that influence the microbiome development or degradation are:

Factors That Damage The Gut Microbiome

  • Gut microbiome dysbiosis in the mother: Since the child gets the initial lot of bacteria from the mother in the process of natural birth, a dysbiosis in the mother is passed on to the newborn. This is a disadvantage to the child right at the onset of life. Dysbiosis in the mother could be due to numerous factors discussed below.
  • C-section birth: The first exposure to bacteria that form a healthy microbiome is during the natural birth process. A child is deprived of this initial dose of ‘probiotics’ if the birth is sterile and surgical.
  • Lack of or inadequate breastfeeding: Breastmilk not only provides a healthy dose of good bacteria, but is also an essential nutrient for the developing child. There is no substitute for breast milk. Artificial feeds are loaded with sugar and neither provide the required nutrients nor are digested as well as breast milk.
  • Use of antibiotics for mother or child
  • Adverse reaction to vaccinations
  • Environmental toxins: Recommended video
  • Stress during pregnancy
  • Lack of exercise (mother)
  • Side effects of medications
  • Improper diet (lack of variety, lack of fresh foods, processed foods, preservatives, chemical fertilizers and antibiotics in foods etc.)

Gut Microbiome

  • Stress
  • Poor or insufficient sleep
  • Lack of dietary fiber
  • Jet lag
  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco

Signs, symptoms and conditions associated with a damaged gut microbiome:

  1. Autoimmune diseases:
    • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
    • Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Graves' Disease
    • Guillain-Barre Syndrome
    • Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
    • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
    • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
    • Myasthenia gravis
    • Psoriasis
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
    • Type 1 diabetes mellitus
    • Vasculitis
    • Vitiligo
  2. Chronic inflammation
  3. Food Intolerances
  4. Preterm birth: Being born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is termed preterm birth and is connected to a host of health complications for newborn. Studies in the field of gut microbiome indicate that these bacterial colonies have a significant impact on pregnancy outcomes, explaining why some women deliver before the appropriate time.
    Further reading: Maternal microbiome – A pathway to preterm birth.

    Among the most common complications of preterm birth are the neurological disorders in children.
    Further reading: Neurologic Consequences of Preterm Birth

  5. Obesity: It is now well established that it is not only unhealthy diet and lack of exercise that makes a person gain weight. Our gut bacteria play a significant role in regulation of metabolism and dysbiosis causes weight gain.
  6. Poor digestion: (bloating, gassiness, abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, intolerance to certain foods etc.)
  7. Poor Immune function: Recurrent infections and slow recovery from infections (like C. difficile, bacterial vaginosis, persistent candida infection, recurrent abscesses and boils, chronic urinary infection, drug resistant infections)

The STEPS Program approach to healing the gut microbiome:

The approach can be summarized in 3 words.

Know. Heal. Evolve.

To truly heal, one must first know oneself, and all that causes one’s disease. For, it is only after true healing that one evolves to their full potential.

Dr Javed Hingora

Founder of the STEPS Program© and the KIDS Protocol©

Know. Heal. Evolve.

Step 1

Know

Diagnosis

Using the Health-O-Meter© Analysis, the first step is to know what needs to be treated or changed. This analysis reveals the following about the person:

  • All factors that caused the microbiome dysbiosis. This is studied in relation to the person’s unique personality type, body type, sensitivities and associated factors involved in causing this disorder.
  • The current health status based on an analysis of genetic history, birth history, medical history, laboratory tests and evaluation by various holistic experts.
  • Lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, exercise, toxins that contribute to the condition
  • All therapies, interventions and changes needed to heal and restore normal functioning naturally
Step 2

Heal

Treatment

  • One or more of the appropriate natural therapies are employed from the STEPS Program©, and PhiloLife therapies, to treat the problem and its core causes.
  • Periodic assessments are done to ensure progress and permanency of healing.
Step 3

Evolve

Prevention and Health Improvement

Resources for forming healthy habits and lifestyle choices are offered in collaboration with Philolife therapies


Further reading:
Connection of the gut and your brain
Connection between the gut and your skin
Scientists May Have Actually Found One Of The Causes Of Autism

For more information Enquire
Step 1

Know

Diagnosis

Using the Health-O-Meter© Analysis, the first step is to know what needs to be treated or changed. This analysis reveals the following about the person:

  • All factors that caused the microbiome dysbiosis. This is studied in relation to the person’s unique personality type, body type, sensitivities and associated factors involved in causing this disorder.
  • The current health status based on an analysis of genetic history, birth history, medical history, laboratory tests and evaluation by various holistic experts.
  • Lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, exercise, toxins that contribute to the condition
  • All therapies, interventions and changes needed to heal and restore normal functioning naturally
Step 2

Heal

Treatment

  • One or more of the appropriate natural therapies are employed from the STEPS Program©, and PhiloLife therapies, to treat the problem and its core causes.
  • Periodic assessments are done to ensure progress and permanency of healing.
Step 3

Evolve

Prevention and Health Improvement

Resources for forming healthy habits and lifestyle choices are offered in collaboration with Philolife therapies


Further reading:
Connection of the gut and your brain
Connection between the gut and your skin
Scientists May Have Actually Found One Of The Causes Of Autism

For more information Enquire