Podcast 3

The podcast discusses the relationship between the microbiome and celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by the ingestion of gluten, damaging the small intestines. The microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms in our body that play a crucial role in digestion and immune regulation. Studies show that individuals with celiac disease have a different gut bacteria composition, leading to inflammation and damage. Modifying the microbiome through diet and probiotics may help manage symptoms. The microbiome also affects mental health through neurotransmitter production. Improving gut health can support optimal mental health. Further research is needed to understand the microbiome's influence on celiac disease. the amazing world of the microbiome and how it relates to celiac disease. Hey there, welcome back. Today's podcast we're diving into the fascinating world of the microbiome and how it relates to celiac disease. Now have you ever gone to a restaurant and sat down, thought about whether or not to be afraid of cross-contamination of gluten? No? Well then you're pretty lucky. But if you're part of the 1% of Americans diagnosed with celiac disease, your answer is probably going to be yes. The rate of celiac disease is steadily increasing. To better understand this problem, let's listen to our gut and dive right on in. Hold on, what is celiac disease? Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in leeks, barley, and rye, triggers an immune response that damages the small intestines. This damage could lead to malabsorption of nutrition and a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms. So what exactly is the microbiome? The microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes that live in our only human body. These microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining health by helping with digestion, protecting against pathogens, and regulating the immune system. That's pretty dang cool. The microbiome can have an impact on various aspects of health including metabolism, inflammation, and mental health. So how exactly does celiac disease affect the microbiome? Well, since you asked so kindly, the microbiome can play a significant role in the development and management of celiac disease. Studies have shown that individuals with celiac disease have a different composition of gut bacteria compared to healthy individuals. The imbalance of gut bacteria, also known as dysbiosis, can contribute to the inflammation and damage of the intestinal lining in individuals with celiac disease. This damage could cause bleeding ulcers and a hernia. If those things happen, you can twist your intestines and wrap around the magycteric artery and cause ischemia, tissue death, sepsis. The removal of some of your intestines may be necessary. Furthermore, the microbiome plays a large role in the regulation of the immune system and balances in the gut microbiome can lead to an overreactive immune response which can exacerbate symptoms of celiac disease. Additionally, the microbiome can influence the breakdown and fermentation of gluten in the gut. Certain gut bacteria may be able to help digest gluten and reduce the inflammatory effects while others may exacerbate the immune response to gluten. Overall, the microbiome can have a significant impact on the development and progression of celiac disease. Modifying the gut microbiome through diet, probiotics, and other interventions may be a potential therapeutic target for managing celiac disease. Researchers suggest that the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut can influence how the immune system reacts to gluten. So, keeping your microbiome happy could be the key in managing celiac symptoms. Probiotics found in foods like yogurt and sauerkraut and pickles can help promote a healthy microbiome and prebiotics like bananas and whole grains can feed those good gut bugs. By nurturing your microbiome, you might just find some relief from the celiac blues. So, next time you're chowing down, remember it's not just about you. It's about keeping your gut microbes happy too. Let's talk about the mental health aspect of the microbiome. An unhealthy microbiome can have a significant impact on mental health due to the gut-brain access, which is the communication pathway between the gut and the brain. When the balance of bacteria in the gut is disturbed, it can cause some serious issues for your mental health. So, let me explain how crucial it is. Gut bacteria plays a crucial role in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, a natural mood booster, dopamine, also known as the happy hormone, which are important for regulating mood and behavior. An unhealthy microbiome can lead to an imbalance in these neurotransmitters contributing to mental health issues. Overall, an unhealthy microbiome can have significant impact on mental health by influencing inflammation, neurotransmitter function, stress response, gut barrier integrity, and immune function. Improving gut health through diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes can help restore balance in the gut microbiome and support optimal mental health. What this podcast highlighted was the complex relationship between celiac disease and the gut microbiome and the importance of further research in the area to better understand how the microbiome may influence the development and progression of celiac disease. Now, I hope I didn't bore you to death, but it is truly an important issue that needs to be talked about more. So, spread the word and tell all your friends that keeping all those little gut bugs happy will make you feel and look happier, too. Now, next week's episode is a surprise, so stay tuned. Cheers!