SAN FRANCISCO – APRIL 06: A man walks along the Embarcadero April 6, 2005 in San Francisco. According to a study released Tuesday, almost 53 percent of Californians over 25 are overweight, and more than 17 percent are obese, or extremely overweight and are costing nearly $21.7 billion a year in medical bills, injuries and lost productivity. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (TNND) —A diverse gut microbiome can influence digestion, immune function and the body’s communication with the brain, pathologist Dr. Ryan Cole said in an interview with The National News Desk
The microbiome is the community of microorganisms living in the digestive system. Cole, head of medical and scientific affairs for the Independent Medical Alliance, said a balanced community helps the body digest and absorb food, produce nutrients and regulate immune responses. Research also points totwo-way communication between the gut and brain through several pathways, including the nervous and immune systems.
Cole said the mouth is part of that broader system and that oral bacteria have been associated with conditions including Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. Researchers have foundlinks between gum disease and dementia, but those findings do not establish that oral bacteria cause Alzheimer’s or that poor oral health is a reliable warning sign of it
To support gut health, Cole recommended eating a varied diet with fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, along with fermented foods such as unsweetened yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi. Arandomized studyof healthy adults found that a diet high in fermented foods increased gut microbial diversity and reduced some inflammatory markers, though the study involved a small number of participants
Cole also pointed to adequate sleep, regular exercise and limiting highly processed foods and excess sugar. He cautioned against unnecessary antibiotic use, which can disrupt beneficial bacteria, while antibiotics should still be taken when prescribed by a health care professional
For oral hygiene, Cole suggested avoiding excess sugar and using toothpaste containing xylitol. He said those steps can help limit harmful bacteria, but research linking oral microbes to broader health conditions is still developing
“Little steps thing at a time,” Cole said. “Find balance and find health.”
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