Gut Microbiome- The More the merrier! How the Wrong Bacteria in your Gut Can Make You Fat (even if you don’t eat more!)
More than 2000 years ago Hippocrates claimed that “all disease begins in the gut”. Today we know, that there are more bacterial cells in our body than human cells – with more than 500 different species of microbes living in our gut. If your gut is made up of the wrong type of bacteria, you can gain weight, even if you are not consuming more calories.
The more the merrier. Gut diversity matters. Our gut microbiome is responsible for so much more than just the digestion and absorption of our food. At least 70% of the human body’s immune cells exist in the gut. A more diverse gut microbiome positively impacts how efficiently our body breaks down food, the health of our immune system, our metabolism, the defense against harmful pathogens, and even our brain function. But unfortunately, there are a lot of risk factors that decrease our good gut bacteria:
Toxic exposures (Mold, Heavy metals, pesticides, etc.)
Pathogens (Parasites, Lyme, H.pylori, etc.)
Chemicals in the environment
Chronic Constipation
Processed foods
Inflammation
Stress
Certain diets (Keto, Carnivore, etc.)
Medications
Antibiotics
Moderate Alcohol Consumption
Low stomach acid
Irritable bowel syndrome
Celiac disease (long-standing)
Crohn’s disease
SIBO (= small intestine bacterial overgrowth) falls under the umbrella of digestive tract dysbiosis. Dysbiosis describes an imbalance of bacteria, fungi, and other digestive system organisms. SIBO is an overgrowth of various types of bacteria in the small intestine that doesn’t belong there.
It is important to keep in mind that SIBO is not a root cause. The beneficial gut microbiome is typically being chased away by a bigger gun – such as parasites, mold exposure, etc. – which allows the negative microbiome to overgrow. SIBO defines the loss of normally protective bacterial populations, followed by a build-up of excess bacteria in the small intestine.
Due to the connection of gut health and brain health, nutrient absorption, a healthy immune system, etc., the change in microbial communities can lead to a wide array of health problems that seem to be far removed from its causal factor. Keep in mind, SIBO can be asymptomatic. Studies suggest that between 6 to 15% of asymptomatic people have SIBO, while up to 80% of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have SIBO.
Symptoms of SIBO
Weight gain/inability to lose weight
Chronic fatigue
Mood swings
Brain fog
Depression/Anxiety
Diarrhea
Constipation
Bloating
Abdominal Pain
Gas
Joint Pain
Leaky Gut
Weight Loss from Malabsorption
Food Sensitivities
Indigestion
Cramping
Reflux
Flatulence
Belching
Chronic headaches/migraines
Acne
Infertility
Low sex drive
Skin diseases, such as Roseaca
Gum disease
Hypothyroidism
Diabetes
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic pancreatitis
Parkinson’s disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Do these symptoms sound familiar? My favorite test to assess the gut microbiome is the Gut Zoomer. It’s an easy-to-perform at-home stool test, that you can order here. The Gut Zoomer is the most comprehensive digestive health test on the market and a true top-to-bottom assessment of gastrointestinal health. It tests for over 300 microbes and provides specific supplement recommendations based on the tested person’s data to improve gut health.
The Connection between Gut Microbiome and Obesity
Eating like a bird and still gaining weight? Studies show that there is a connection not only between gut microbiome abundance but as well between certain bacteria strains and weight gain.
The less diverse your gut microbiome is, the more likely you are to gain weight—an extremely non-diverse gut flora can result in rapid weight gain.
Firmicutes can be thought of as a bacterial tribe in your gut. They produce the important substance, butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that is vital for keeping you healthy. Bacteroidetes are kind of degraders of carbohydrates, carbohydrate-based substances, and proteins. A greater abundance of Firmicutes and/or a drop in Bacteroidetes is directly associated with weight gain and obesity.
Do you feel you are gaining weight just by looking at food, while others eat in abundance - yet stay skinny like a stick? The answer to why some people gain more weight than others, even when they eat the exact same diet may be answered with the composition of their gut microbiome. Certain strains of gut bacteria called Bacteroides are more effective at extracting nutrients from food than others. People dominated by Bacteroides had less energy density in their stool samples, versus people dominated by Ruminococcaceae or Prevotella strains. In other words: people with a B-type gut pull more calories from the same amount of food before it's eliminated as waste than a person being dominated by gut bacteria strains that are less efficient at extracting nutrients from food. Studies showed that participants with a B-type gut weighed on average about 20 pounds more than participants with an R-type gut bacteria profile.
Luckily there are a lot of strategies on how to selectively feed your beneficial microbiome to lose weight and eradicate unwanted microbes that hinder weight loss. Find my favorite ones in the PDF below.
