The scientific literature claims that the human microbiome should be considered an organ or possibly a superorganism. It wasn’t until the 1990s that it was even discovered and now believed to have an overwhelming impact on human health.

The term “microbiome” is referred to by the experts as the collection of the genomes of microbes in a particular ecosystem. The term “microbiota” is referred to as the collection of organisms. In other words, the entire digestive tract is a living ecological community of microorganisms – over 100 trillion bacteria – which we call the microbiome.

What is even more astonishing is that 80% our immune system is created by the enteric bacteria or gut flora found in the microbiome of the intestines of the gastrointestinal tract.

There is a very intrinsic connection and complex interaction among the gut, the immune system and even the brain!

The Gut, the Brain and the Immune System

The gut and the brain are both part of the body’s autonomic nervous system that not only communicate with each other, but also with the immune system.

You might have heard the terms “gut/brain connection”, “the second brain”, and the “gut-brain axis“. These all refer to the communication between the central and enteric nervous system, the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with the gastrointestinal system.

Ninety-five percent of the body’s serotonin and 50% of the body’s dopamine are produced in the gut. Just as neurons are found in the brain, they are also found in the gut. Consequently, if there are alterations in the functioning of the microbiome, then this connection is going to be disrupted and will affect not only the gut itself, but the brain and the immune system.

Nowhere is this more obvious than in children with autism spectrum disorders who clearly show behavioral abnormalities, cognitive deficits, developmental delays, sensory issues and immune dysregulation.

What’s in the Gut?

Derrick MacFabe MD, PhD, a Canadian researcher, was actually the first researcher to scientifically prove this gut-brain-immune connection through mouse studies. He discovered how gut bacteria can alter behaviors in children with autism.

Dr. MacFabe found that children with autism had a history of antibiotic exposure or hospitalization, gastrointestinal symptoms, abnormal food cravings and unique intestinal bacterial populations that were related to the severity of their symptoms.

His research on the role of enteric short-chain fatty acid fermentation products, in particular one strain called proprionic acid (PPA), a toxic metabolite of Clostridia difficile (C. diff), was found in the gastrointestinal tract of children with autism.

PPA is a compound of many gastrointestinal bacteria and a common food preservative. It and other metabolites of gut pathogens (colletively known as gut dysbiosis) can cause neurochemical changes that are all consistent with autism findings, such as:

• Neuroinflammation
• Oxidative stress
• Mitochondrial dysfunction
• Glutathione depletion
• Altered phospholipid/acetylcarnitine levels

The results from laboratory studies showed that rats treated with PPA developed behaviors similar to autism such as repetitive, perseverative, antisocial behaviors and seizures. What is clear about metabolites of gut pathogens is that many systems within the body are affected such as:

• Neurotransmitters
• Intracellular acidification
• Calcium release
• Fatty acid metabolism
• Immune function
• Alteration of gene expression

Environmental triggers may be part of gut dysbiosis, and it is quite clear that the role of the microbiome has an effect on metabolism, immune, mitochondrial function and gene expression in children with autism as well as those with other chronic health conditions.

Healing the Microbiome

Healing the microbiome can make many positive changes in your child, such as:

• Reducing histamine and inflammation responses
• Reducing the intensity of anxiety and depression (anger in many cases)
• Reducing the self-stimulatory behaviors
• Reducing head-banging and self-mutilating behaviors
• Reducing hand-flapping
• Reducing pacing and hyperactivity
• Reducing the number of meltdowns
• Reducing repetitive and obsessive compulsive behaviors
• Improving sleep issues
• Improving coping abilities
• Strengthening and improving the immune system
• Improving sensory processing

To test for imbalances in the microbiome, have your physician order an Organic Acid Test (OAT) and a Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis.

Change the Diet

Diet plays a big role in the elimination of gut pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. A typical modern-day acidic diet of refined sugars, high fructose, simple carbohydrates, gluten, casein, transfatty acids, fast foods with chemical preservatives and all refined foods increase gut dysbiosis in the digestive tract and affect the brain and the immune system.

If your child is eating a high carbohydrate and rich food diet, then the likelihood of gut dysbiosis is much higher. Gut dysbiosis increases acidity and can create more physical symptoms as well as behaviors.

To lower levels of gut pathogens, give your child a diet rich in:

• Fermented foods and vegetables
• Kefir non-dairy yogurt
• Organic vegetables, fruits and protein
• Good quality fats
• Lots of prebiotics and probiotics
• A gut-healing diet

These will help heal the microbiome by alkalizing the gut and creating more butyrate in the gut which is necessary for healing. Restoring gut integrity and rebalancing the gut microbiota by healing the microbiome will improve brain functioning, reduce behaviors and keep the immune system stronger.

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