David PerlmutterGut and Brain: How Gut Bacteria Heal and Protect Your Brain. The second brain: how the gut affects our well-being The connection of the brain with the rectum

We continue our conversation about the gastrointestinal tract and its diseases. In previous articles, candidate medical sciences, neurologist, osteopath of the Luciano Clinic Alexander Ivanov spoke about gastritis, flatulence, hiccups and constipation. In this article, he talks about food intolerance, dysbacteriosis and how to properly empty the intestines.

20 BILLION NERVE CELLS

Our organism at the stage of embryo formation is formed from only three systems - cardiovascular, digestive and nervous. The digestive system is formed from the so-called intestinal tube, which gives rise to the digestive organs: oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small and large intestines. Our small intestine can be 3 to 7 meters long and is packed very compactly into abdominal cavity. Small intestine performs an important mission - assimilates proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements.

Did you know that the gut contains over 20 billion nerve cells– neurons, and this is more than in the spinal cord? Our intestines are rightly called the "second brain". Not without reason in our language there is even such an expression as “I feel it in my gut”. The intestines even have their own control system - the metasympathetic nervous system.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion. The doctor will make such a diagnosis if, after complete examination it won't find anything for you. By the way, a colonoscopy is mandatory in such cases! Thus, irritable bowel syndrome is a disease caused not by gross, but by some subtle reasons such as stress. Moreover, according to statistics, almost every third, if not second, suffers from this disorder when referring to a gastroenterologist.

Signs of irritable bowel syndrome: abdominal pain, liquid stool, sometimes followed by constipation, bloating, depression. There are many causes for irritable bowel syndrome: depression, stress, panic attacks, spasm, food intolerance and intestinal hypersensitivity.

"RED FLAGS" - ALARM SYMPTOMS

"Red flags" - this is what should alert you: the presence of blood in the stool, rapid weight loss, anemia, severe nighttime abdominal pain. In such cases, immediate medical attention is required.

FOOD INTOLERANCE: HIDDEN OR OBVIOUS

Quite often, the cause of problems with the intestines can be a latent food intolerance. Food intolerance must be distinguished from true food allergy, in which certain products become alien to the body i.e. antigens. In response to them, our immune system produces antibodies that bind antigens and render them harmless. Manifested food allergy all known allergic reactions: swelling, redness, itching, up to anaphylaxis. For example, an allergy to honey or gluten. Gluten intolerance (celiac disease) or hypersensitivity to it can be the cause of intestinal upset.

Food intolerance as a result of a deficiency of digestive enzymes is usually hereditary in nature and is associated with a genetic defect in the genes encoding enzymes. An example of a food intolerance would be lactose intolerance (see my article on milk). Unfortunately, many people have hypersensitivity to certain foods, which they are not even aware of, since the symptoms can be of little specificity: dyspepsia, stool disorder, abdominal pain. In such cases, it is recommended to take a test to identify potentially dangerous foods for you. There are different tests (for example, the determination of class G immunoglobulins or the reaction of leukocytes using the PRIME TEST method). Allocate more psychogenic food intolerance. This intolerance is associated with certain stresses, under which pathological reactions on the certain types products. For example, when food poisoning Human long time cannot consume the product, as a result of which poisoning occurred.

HOW OSTEOPATHY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY CAN HELP

Osteopathy can be effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, as spasm is almost always present - painful muscle tension smooth muscle of the intestine. The doctor can remove this tension with his hands and alleviate the condition.

Oddly enough, but psychotherapy is very effective, since the disease is functional in nature and, as a rule, there are signs of depression and anxiety. Suitable as an alternative to antidepressants autogenic training, meditation, music therapy and even aromatherapy. These methods are widely used by our colleagues in Europe.

DYSBACTERIOSIS - MYTH OR REALITY

Oh, this dysbacteriosis. Now even any more or less literate patient knows that such a diagnosis does not exist, and God forbid any doctor write it, because it would be a lustration. Or, as in that old joke: “Well ... there is, but there is no word?”

Dysbacteriosis is a violation of the intestinal microflora. Indeed, such a diagnosis does not exist according to the international classification of diseases, however, the condition can occur (“analysis of feces for dysbacteriosis” is a profanity, it is absolutely not informative). For example, after prolonged use of antibiotics. This condition is called antibiotic-associated diarrhea, which is most commonly caused by Clostridium difficile. This microbe is our companion for life, but when taking antibiotics, it can become aggressive and release toxins into the intestines, causing diarrhea and intoxication. If antibiotic-associated diarrhea is suspected, feces should be examined for Clostridium toxins.

Another condition that mimics dysbacteriosis is small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome, in which colon bacteria overgrow and travel from the colon to the small intestine, causing pain, gas, and diarrhea. The main cause of this syndrome is the abuse of fast refined carbohydrates: bread, pastries, confectionery, sweet fruits. This condition is diagnosed by breath test, determining the level of hydrogen content in the exhaled air. Treatment and prevention are simple balanced diet, rejection bakery products(especially containing thermophilic baker's yeast), moderation in food (do not overeat!).

PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS FOR INTESTINAL HEALTH

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria for our intestines. In medicine, there is still no final decision on whether to use probiotics or not. The doctors who will not prescribe probiotics will be right, and the doctors who will recommend probiotics will be right. I refer to the latter. There is reliable evidence that in children after antibiotic therapy, dyspepsia and diarrhea on the background of probiotics went away faster than without them.

As shown by my personal practice, taking probiotics not only for therapeutic, but also for prophylactic purposes is justified. Unfortunately, our diet contains many antibiotics (“anti” - against, “bio” - life, that is, “against life!”). Our agricultural industry uses antibiotics in meat, poultry and even fish! Don't believe? Ask any veterinarian. Of course, this cannot but have a negative impact on the state of the intestinal microflora and our health. For prevention, it is better to use complex preparations containing both probiotics (lacto- and bifidobacteria) and prebiotics (substances that promote the growth of bacteria). High level Lactobacillus LGG and Saccharomycetes have proven effectiveness. By the way, bran is an excellent prebiotic. Prebiotics also include pectin, inulin, agar-agar. Allowed for use dairy products two to three times a week (kefir, ayran, matsoni, live yogurt, and so on). Great remedy- kefir with bran for the night, suitable even for unloading day. It is not for nothing that this practice is still practiced in many sanatoriums.

However, it should be remembered that not always stool disorder, flatulence and other signs of "dysbacteriosis" can be caused by a violation of the microflora. irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory diseases intestines, intoxication of the body and even oncology - all these diseases can have manifestations of dysbacteriosis. Conduct differential diagnosis and only a doctor can prescribe treatment!

"POSE OF THE EAGLE", OR HOW TO EMPTY THE INTESTINE CORRECTLY

I remember that on Channel One Elena Malysheva in the program "It's healthy to live" there was a story about how to poop properly. He caused a lot of criticism and laughter from viewers. Like, it's complete nonsense. I somehow had to communicate with Elena Vasilievna personally, I can’t say that I agree with her in everything, but in that story she touched on a very important and delicate topic. The invention of the modern toilet has undoubtedly improved our comfort during the act of defecation, but removed us from nature, since in the sitting position a bowel bend is formed, which makes the process more difficult. And some people like to read a newspaper for this case. Such a comfortable pastime can cause constipation, hemorrhoids or other diseases. Another thing is to squat or, as the people say, in the "eagle position", which is completely physiological during the act of defecation and allows the rectum to be cleansed as much as possible.

What now, you say, to refuse the blessings of civilization? Not at all necessary. Our toilet bowl can be improved by substituting a low (30 - 40 cm) stand under your feet to increase the opening of the rectum. You can slightly tilt the body forward and then the intestines will be much easier.

Another indicator healthy digestion may be the amount used toilet paper. Ideally, after the act of defecation, the anus should remain clean, as the feces are covered with mucus. Sticky, sticky feces happen with dysbacteriosis. The more toilet paper you use, the worse your digestion gets!

SERIOUSLY ABOUT NOT SERIOUS: CLASSIFICATION OF FORMS OF KALA

To help practitioners, a special classification of fecal forms, the so-called bristol scale. According to the scale, the feces of a healthy person should be voluminous and shaped like a sausage with a smooth surface and rounded ends (see the figure "Bristol classification of feces"). The smell of feces in a healthy person has a slight specific smell. If the smell is fetid, sharp, this indicates digestive problems, the presence of putrefactive microflora.

Look at this picture and try to evaluate the condition of your intestines and its work by feces. Do you often have type 3 or 4 stools? If not, then you need to be examined and treated.

To be continued

Alexander Ivanov

For one square millimeter of the gastric mucosa, there are about a hundred glands that secrete digestive juice.
Small intestine, where absorption of digested food into the blood takes place, has on its inner surface about 5 million villi - the thinnest hair-like outgrowths through which nutrient absorption takes place.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Englishman Newport Langley calculated the number of nerve cells in the stomach and intestines - 100 million. More than in the spinal cord! There are no hemispheres here, but there is an extensive network of neurons and auxiliary cells, where all kinds of impulses and signals walk. An assumption arose: is it possible to consider such an accumulation of nerve cells as a kind of "abdominal" brain?
Recently Professor of Neurogastroenterology Paul Enk from the University of Tübingen spoke on this subject: “The brain of the abdomen is arranged in much the same way as the brain. It can be depicted as a stocking covering the esophagus, stomach and intestines. In the stomach and intestines of people suffering from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, the same tissue damage was found as in the brain. That’s why antidepressants like Prozac have such an effect on the stomach.”

But all these facts are only indirect confirmation of the paradoxical hypothesis. In order for an army of neurons to turn into a kind of brain, it must be organized. So far, there is no clear evidence of this organization.

Professor of neurogastroenterology David Wingate from the University of London believes that the "abdominal" human brain is a descendant of the primitive nervous system of tubular worms. In the course of evolution, the "abdominal" brain did not completely disappear. This is not atavism at all, but important organ for those mammals whose embryos develop in the mother's womb. Who knows, maybe this is the “inner voice” that connects mother and child?

Emeren Meyer, a professor of physiology at the University of California, proves with a series of experiments that if the brain is responsible for thoughts, then the “abdominal” is responsible for emotions. Any sensations, all glimpses of intuition are based on a real basis. The stomach, like the head, accumulates experience and is guided by it in practice.
Does it follow from this that the stomach is involved in intellectual activity? The gift of thinking is not yet attributed to the stomach, but the ability to self-learn is not denied. Maybe we need to “listen” to our stomach more often?

In turn, apparently, between the brain and the digestive nerve center a straight and safe road. Came into agitation one - immediately disorder in the other. The main bridge connecting the two centers is the vagus, or vagus nerve. Thousands of thin fibers depart from it into the nervous enterosystem digestive tract.

According to La Stampa (translated on the site Inopressa.ru August 2005), Professor Michael Gershon believes that a person has two eyes, two arms, two legs and two brains: one pulsates in the head, the other is active in the stomach.
If the mystics, and after them the rest, have always emphasized the opposition "brain - body", then Gershon refutes everyone, stating a strange thing: the First Brain and the Second Brain are autonomous units, but are in constant contact.

A decade after the publication of Michael Gershen's most popular work, The Second Brain, this American scientist confirms the assumption that the intestinal nervous system is not a dull accumulation of nodes and tissues that carry out commands from the central nervous system, as the old medical doctrine says, but a unique network capable of realize complex processes on one's own.

It is noteworthy that the intestine continues to function even when there is no connection with the head and spinal cord. Brain "number 2" independently handles all aspects of digestion throughout the gastrointestinal tract - from the esophagus to the intestines and rectum. In doing so, it uses the same tools as the "noble" brain: a whole web of neural circuits, neurotransmitters and proteins. Evolution testifies to its perspicacity: instead of forcing the head to brutally strain the work of millions of nerve cells to communicate with a remote part of the body, it preferred to entrust control to a center located in zones controlled by it.

And just like brain number 1, the second brain, Gershon argues, is a vast databank in which millions of years of experiments have stored numerous behavioral programs ready to act depending on the situation, in other words, digestion: whether it is a bun, a full dinner, unusual food, or strict diet. The "second" brain always knows how to respond by activating the right enzymes and extracting nutrients for better nutrition organism.

The stomach's secret weapon for "over-revving" is the well-known neurotransmitter, serotonin. Quite unexpectedly, it turned out that almost all serotonin, 95%, is concentrated in the intestines, where it acts with maximum efficiency. The digestive process only begins when special cells (enterochromaffin) suck it up into the intestinal wall, which responds via seven receptors and orders the nerve cells to release the enzymes and make them circulate.
Serotonin is also a messenger that informs the brain about what is happening in the stomach.

Another discovery was that 90% of information comes in one direction. Transmission almost always happens from the bottom up, and most often the messages are bad. So, for example, happens with a common syndrome of indigestion, which affects one in three people. And in this case, as in depression, one of the reasons is a change in the amount of neurotransmitter volume: excessive instead of insufficient. It's the fault of the molecule that is supposed to transport it, "sert": in many people it doesn't function properly.
With the new discovery, Gershon notes, new opportunities open up for psychiatrists and gastroenterologists. therapeutic possibilities.

PS: Natalya Bekhtereva, academician:
In the intestine, many peptide and protein forms are formed, which are directly related to the activity of the brain. Bad job stomach and intestines causes depression, which is known to all ulcers. Maybe from internal organs The gut is most connected to the brain. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases fit into peptide representations. The hypothesis about the existence of not individual nerve cells, but neural networks in the abdominal cavity should be carefully tested.

12.08.2016

In the mood, decision-making and behavior of a person, not only the brain is involved, but also the gastrointestinal tract. In the human body, there is a separate nervous system, which is so complex that it is called the second brain. It consists of about 500 million neurons, and is about 9 meters long and runs from the esophagus to the anus. It is this "brain" that may be responsible for eating junk food during stress, mood changes and some diseases.

The enteric nervous system is your "second brain"

In the walls of the gastrointestinal tract is the enteric nervous system (ENS), which, as previously believed, is involved exclusively in the control of the digestion process. Now experts suggest that she plays important role in the physical and mental state of a person. It can work autonomously and interact with the brain.

If you look inside human body, it will be difficult not to notice the brain and branches of nerve cells along the spine. ENS - a wide network of neurons located in two layers of intestinal tissue, is less noticeable, and therefore was discovered only in the middle of the 19th century. It is part of the autonomic nervous system, a network of peripheral nerves that control the functions of internal organs.

In addition to controlling the mechanical mixing of food in the stomach and coordinating muscle contractions to move food through the GI tract, the ENS also maintains the biochemical environment in various departments gastrointestinal tract, thereby maintaining proper pH levels and chemical composition necessary for the functioning of digestive enzymes.

However, there is another reason why the ENS needs so many neurons - eating is fraught with danger. Bacteria and viruses that enter the gastrointestinal tract with food should not capture the body. If the pathogen penetrates the intestinal mucosa, immune cells will begin to secrete inflammatory substances, incl. histamine, which recognize ENS neurons. The second brain either triggers the diarrhea or tells the brain to cleanse itself in some other way - through vomiting (or both processes occur simultaneously).

For many years, people have believed that the gut interacts with the brain, affecting a person's health. However, it was possible to confirm such a connection relatively recently, when it became clear that the ENS can act autonomously, as well as with the opening of its main communication channel with the brain - vagus nerve. In fact, about 90% of the signals transmitted through the vagus nerve do not come from above (from the brain), but from below (from the ENS).

The second brain is a factor of well-being

The second brain has a lot with the first common features- it also consists of various types neurons and accessory glial cells. It also has its own analogue of the blood-brain barrier, which maintains the stability of the physiological environment. The second brain also produces a range of hormones and about 40 neurotransmitters of the same classes as those produced in the brain.

What are the features and functions of the ENS?

1. Dopamine is a signaling molecule associated with feelings of pleasure and the reward system. In the gut, it also functions as a signaling molecule that relays messages between neurons and, for example, coordinates the contraction of colon muscles. Serotonin, which is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, enters the bloodstream and is involved in the restoration of damaged liver and lung cells. It is also necessary for normal development heart and regulation of bone density.
2. Mood. Clearly, the gut brain is not responsible for emotions. However, theoretically, neurotransmitters produced in the gastrointestinal tract can enter the hypothalamus. Nerve signals sent from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain can indeed influence mood. A study published in 2006 in The British Journal of Psychiatry found that vagus nerve stimulation may be effective in treating chronic depression.
3. Butterflies in the stomach are the result of blood flowing to the muscles as part of the fight-or-flight response triggered by the brain. However, stress also increases the production of ghrelin, which, in addition to increasing hunger, reduces anxiety and depression. Ghrelin stimulates the release of dopamine by acting on neurons involved in the pleasure and reward pathways, as well as through signals transmitted through the vagus nerve.

Experts believe that problems with the ENS are related to various diseases, so the second brain deserves a lot more attention from scientists. The control of obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and other ailments are potential benefits of further study of the ENS.

Second human brain -it's not back or Bone marrow, and the education that a person has in his gastrointestinal tract.

It is so reminiscent of a real brain that it can rightly be called " second brain". Some do not doubt that this brain is involved in human intellectual activity. In any case, this conclusion can be reached as a result of the achievements of neurogastroeterology.

The creator of this discipline is Michael Gershon of Columbia University. It was found that in the folds of tissues lining the esophagus, stomach, intestines, there is a complex of nerve cells that exchange signals with the help of special neurotransmitter substances. This allows this whole complex to work independently of the brain, just like the brain, it is able to learn. Like the brain, this brain is nourished by "glial" cells, has the same cells responsible for immunity, the same protection. The similarity is enhanced by those neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, the same neuropeptide proteins.

This amazing brain owes its origin to the fact that the oldest tubular ancestors had what is called " reptilian brain» - primitive nervous system, which in the process of complication of organisms was given by creatures with a brain, the functions of which are extremely diverse. The remaining relic system was transformed into a center that controls the activity of internal organs, and, above all, digestion.

This process can be traced in the development of embryos, in which the initial clot of cells on early stage the formation of the nervous system is first divided, and one part is transformed into the central nervous system, and the second wanders around the body until it is in gastrointestinal tract. Here it turns into an autonomic nervous system; and only later both of these systems are connected with the help of vagus - a special nerve fiber.

Until recently, it was believed that this tract is just a muscular tube with elementary reflexes. And no one thought to look closely at the structure, number and activity of these cells. But later they were surprised that their number was about one hundred million. Vagus is not able to ensure the close interaction of this complex complex with the brain, so it became clear that gastric brain works autonomously. Moreover, we feel its activity as an “inner voice”, as something that we are able to “feel with the liver”.

It should be noted that such an autonomous system is no exception for the organism, but it is distinguished by exceptional complexity and development of connections and the presence of those chemical compounds that are so characteristic of the brain.
The main function of this brain is to control the activity of the stomach and the process of digestion: it monitors the nature of food, regulates the speed of digestion, accelerating or slowing down the release of digestive juices. It is curious that, like brain, stomach also needs rest, plunges into a state similar to sleep. In this dream, the rapid stages are also distinguished, accompanied by the appearance of corresponding waves, muscle contractions. This stage is remarkably similar to that stage normal sleep during which a person sees dreams.

During stress, the gastric brain, like the brain, secretes specific hormones, in particular, an excess of serotonin. A person experiences a state when he has “cats scratching in his soul”, and in a special case acute condition — stomach leads to increased excitement and there is a "bear disease" - diarrhea from fear.

Doctors have long had the term " nervous stomach when this organ responds to strong irritations especially severe heartburn, spasm respiratory muscles. At further action unwanted stimulus at the command of the brain in stomach substances are released that cause inflammation of the stomach and even an ulcer.

The activity of this amazing brain affects the activity of the brain. This, in particular, is expressed in the fact that when digestion is disturbed, signals are sent to the brain that cause nausea, headache and others discomfort. Obviously, here lies the reason for the allergic effect on the body of a number of substances.
This brain is able to form and conditioned reflexes. So in one of the clinics for the paralyzed, a punctual nurse carefully at a certain time - at 10 o'clock in the morning - gave enemas to patients. A colleague who replaced him after some time decided to carry out this operation only when there was a clear constipation. But the very next morning at 10 am stomachs all patients emptied themselves.

It is possible that the reaction gastric brain Overeating nightmares explained. What role this brain plays in the process of thinking remains to be seen.

As a rule, we consider the brain to be our “command center”. He is responsible for the ability logical thinking, analysis, feelings of joy. It turns out that our "I" consists not only of what is happening in our head, but also of what signals we receive from the stomach. More than 90% of the serotonin produced human body, is formed in the cells of the intestine! If you are afraid of mood swings and inexplicable fears, remember, perhaps the reason is not the imbalance of certain substances in the brain, but in the state of the intestines.

The world of medicine and science is no longer referring to the gut as just a device for transporting and distributing food and removing leftovers. It was once treated with slight prejudice, but today this body is increasingly respected. Even the wording "second brain" appeared. It turns out that the intestine has extraordinary power: it has different kind"transmitters" and is equipped with complex neural networks. And thanks to its huge surface, it acts as the largest sensory organ in the human body and, unlike the brain closed in the skull and isolated from the rest of the body, is always at the center of events. “The gut is a huge matrix that records our inner life and influences the subconscious,” says microbiologist Julia Enders in her book, Inner History. The intestines are the most fascinating organ in our body."

Belly strength

How can the gut affect our mental well-being? It has a special direct connection with the brain, which informs the gray matter about our "inner life". This happens with the help of the vagus nerve, which passes through the diaphragm, heart, lungs, esophagus and goes directly to the brain. Impulses sent by the intestines reach many parts of the brain, in particular amygdala or hippocampus. And it affects our mental condition, because these structures are not only associated with the process of memorization, but also with motivation, regulation of emotional behavior and feelings (both positive and negative).

This is confirmed by research. Irish scientists gave mice preparations containing intestinal flora-friendly microorganisms for several weeks, and then subjected the rodents to various experiments, testing cognitive functions. The results were unexpected: mice with "stimulants" digestive system were characterized by greater determination, had lower levels of stress hormones in the blood, and achieved best results orientation tests. They were also more motivated, and in addition to that, they learned faster and had better memory than their counterparts without "stimulants".

Emotional Gut

There have also been experiments that have confirmed the link between gut health and emotional processing, as well as well-being in humans. The simplest example: people suffering from hypersensitivity bowel or diseases such as non-specific ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, are much more likely to be depressed and feel overwhelmed and restless.

Julia Enders describes one of the studies: "After four weeks of consuming a mixture of selected bacteria, the subjects showed clear changes in several areas of the brain, especially those responsible for the perception of pain and the processing of emotions." How is this possible? One of the reasons may be the influence of the bacterial flora on the production of the so-called happiness hormone (it turns out that more than 90% of serotonin in the human body is produced in the intestinal cells). When it changes its activity, the "upper" brain begins to receive other signals from the "lower". But this “communication” also occurs in the opposite direction.

The best example is the body's response to stressful situations. Each of us happens to struggle with lack of time or experience fear. public speaking. What happens in our body. When the brain recognizes that something is wrong, it starts an emergency mode. One of its components is the redirection of the energy that the body has into the muscles and brain. And where to get it from? The simplest solution is an "energy loan" from the intestines: as a result digestive processes slow down, it hits less blood and he himself produces less mucus. If this situation lasts for a short time, then everything is in order. But when it drags on, the intestines pay for it with their health. How? According to Dr. Enders, a poorer blood supply and less protective mucus cause the intestinal walls to become weaker. In response to this state of affairs, the "climate" in them is changing, conducive to the reproduction of less friendly bacteria. In turn, a change in the bacterial flora is not only a tendency to diarrhea or abdominal pain, but also a deterioration in emotional well-being. What is the conclusion from this? Stress cannot be avoided, but during the period when it intensifies, it is possible to “feed” the intestines with beneficial bacteria.

Immunity in the stomach

The immune system consists of several "floors". Our intestines are one of them. And even more. It is one of the most important, because it is home to more than 70% of lymphocytes. In the development, regulation and proper functioning of the immune system, intestinal bacteria play a very important role, which activate various cells of the immune system. There are over a thousand in our intestines. various kinds bacteria! And it is important that these microbes have the right composition. Often the "normal" combination of "good" bacteria in the diet is enough to the immune system began to work more efficiently. For the same reason, it is necessary to regularly update our menu with products that contain natural bacterial cultures. This will give us good “colonization resistance”: if all the places in the intestine are occupied by good or neutral bacteria for us, then pathogenic microorganisms will not have a place to "settle" and will be removed.

What state is ours in? intestinal microflora, may be related to autoimmune diseases. It turns out (discovered by Dr. José Shera of New York University) that intestinal flora suffering from rheumatoid arthritis people contains the bacteria Prevotella copri, while healthy people did not have them. Dr. Sher also noted that in other patients with autoimmune joint diseases, levels certain types intestinal bacteria were significantly lower than healthy people. At present, Dr. Sher's team is not drawing final conclusions, but according to the researcher himself, a new player has entered the arena. The doctor wants attention medical world on the importance of the human gut microbiome. There is no doubt that our intestinal microflora has changed under the influence of civilization. The introduction of mass consumption of antibiotics, a completely different diet compared to our ancestors, limited contact with microbiomes typical of flora and fauna - all this leads to the fact that our internal bacterial ecosystem works differently. And it is possible that this change may be associated with an increase in the number of autoimmune and allergic diseases.